CHAPTER RE-EDIT 2017: I'M BACK LADIES AND GENTS! Still doing my jazz here… I don't think there's anything I need to say, so read on!

I tried everything I could to stop entering Poptropica. I knew in my heart that I was losing my chance to be free from my leg... And my life, but nobody wanted me in Poptropica. But I entered anyway.

I reappeared on Home Island again, but it felt different. Instead of a welcome, it felt more like a reminder of Fierce Fox yelling at me. I tried to shake the thought off, but it wouldn't go away. I sighed, giving up, and slumped down next to New You. What was I going to do? Fierce Fox would never accept me... But how am I supposed to leave if I don't complete the island? Maybe I could send her a letter... No, that won't work. Or maybe I could get someone else to play with her? But then she would wonder how they know stuff... Just like with me.

To distract my numb mind, I grouchily pulled myself to my feet and sprinted along the island, my eyes picking up on every detail. Poptropica is a strange, strange place. I could've paused and gazed at every miniature pixel for hours. But I didn't. I just kept going.

I almost slammed right into Fierce Fox, who was casually roaming on the bridge. I slipped into a bush, almost like a spy, watching my Poptropican. She had a neutral expression, albeit it still made me shiver. Her furious voice in my head... I gripped the leaves of the bush, mentally slapping myself. Come on, get over yourself, Alice. But I needed to worry... I needed to get her to complete the island with me... Or I would never get home. Then I got an idea.

I stealthy slipped out of the bush, bending my knees as my feet lightly brushed the ground of Home Island. The store I needed was in sight. Perfect. I almost grinned. I slipped the door of New You open, the strong scent of shampoo hitting my nostrils. The fashionista was there as always, admiring the outfits above her. I bolted past her, going to the next room, where the smell of hairspray was stronger than ever.

The two rooms are separated by a brick wall. The barber side is run by an old man with grey, spiky, curled hair and a pointy beard. On the sea-foam coloured tiles are pictures of hairstyling equipment. On the floor there is a large, red chair. There's also a shower in the corner, covered by a translucent shower cover, which said 'temporary hair colour'. The other side said 'permanent hair colour'.

I headed past the man and straight up to the 'temporary hair colour' shower, by mistake- which I didn't realize at the time. I reluctantly pulled back the curtain, surrounding myself in the green tiles. A huge, silver sprayer was in front of my face, with a keypad, showing different hair colours. I pressed the black hair colour and felt the sprayer's engine turn on. Black tar flew in my face, and I shut my eyelids tight. A few brief seconds later, a hair fell in my eyes. Instead of the regular blonde, it had become a jet-black.

I climbed out of the shower, my new black curls bouncing, and headed to where the clothes are. I fiercely tugged on the lever near the employee; the mannequins near the roof switched clothes.

"I guess it could work in the right light..." the fashionista commented thoughtfully. I ignored her and picked the mannequin on the end. A blue screen popped up in front of my face, giving me a view of the outfit. I smiled and pressed the items I liked with my finger. They appeared on my body, covering my old clothes.

I was now wearing a yellow t-shirt with a music note on the chest, a black jacket over the top. My legs were covered in navy blue jeans, and my black hair was tied up in a bun. A white baseball cap was slicked over my bun, the front pointing forwards. I gazed at my new appearance in a mirror, a name popping up in my head: Brave Tiger.

I exited New You, the jeans digging into my skin. My baseball cap tipped forward ever so slightly, covering my eyes. I inhaled deeply, puffing out my chest. I'm not Alice anymore. Storming forward, with a powerful spring in my step, I approached Fierce Fox, who was boredly humming to herself and leaning against her blimp rope. I cleared my throat, forcing my cowardice away.

"Hello," I spoke up, deepening my voice, so it sounded tough and gravelly. "What's up?"

"Not much. Who are you?" Fierce Fox inquired, gazing at me with mild interest. I placed a masculine grin on my face.

"Name's Brave Tiger. You?" I asked, fear trying to my voice squeak. I kept forcing it away.

"Fierce Fox. Never seen you before." she commented, her brow slightly raised.

"Just got here from the box, gettin' used to the voice," I replied coolly, flicking a piece of black hair. "Kinda new. Though I'm sure this old place will be pretty easy. Since, y'know, Poptropica's all 'bout adventures."

Fierce Fox actually smiled at me. "I know what you mean."

"Thanks, man. Say, are you going on any trips on your blimp? You see, I kinda need a ride to 24 Carrot Island." I crossed my arms while saying this.

"Well, you're in luck, 'cause I was just 'bout to go there," Fierce Fox suddenly became apprehensive. "I don't know if I want you to come or not, 'cause of the last time I had a partner. She was this really annoying girl called Alice, who kept following me around, yet she was just like the voice, always knowing what to do, though she couldn't jump without squealing like a baby. I had to help her all the time. What's weird is that every time I completed an island, she disappeared. She was full of mysteries. She wouldn't tell me anything. Then, she literally told me she was my voice- crazy talk- and I lost it at her. I haven't seen her since, thank goodness."

I tried not to show the pure horror on my face. "Wow, man, she sounds messed up. But don't worry dude, I'm no smarter than you. Seriously, I just joined!" I exclaimed, chuckling and secretly admiring my acting skills. When I'm really determined to achieve something, I'll do even the craziest things to get it. Other emotions can affect what I do or say, but the fire that is determination will always be burning. Failure puts it out.

Fierce Fox rolled her eyes, but not in a rude way. "Alright. You can come. But if you're an idiot, get out of my sights." she replied, climbing up her rope like a snake. My old fear suddenly flooded my body. No, I scolded myself, you are not afraid. I grabbed onto the end of the rope, my feet gripped on the bottom; I slid myself into the basket. I fiercely got to my feet, brushing my sweat off like it was something I did every day. Fierce Fox winked at me, before the blimp lifted into the air, leaving Home Island in a pile of blue.

A little bit of travelling over the Poptropican seas later, we (with some help from the map) arrived on 24 Carrot Island. Everywhere around me on the island was filthy, broken down and ruined. People were sobbing, moping and weeping over their ruined carrots. The sky was covered in a brown tar, polluted and deadly. The mayor was bawling underneath the dead sign.

I was about to instruct what to do, when I realized I wasn't Miss Know-it-all anymore. I had to act like a clueless Poptropican. I turned around and faced the crying mayor.

"Our town is ruined! All the carrots are gone!" he sobbed harder, his tears flowing like waterfalls. Fierce Fox and I gave each other a glance.

"What now?" I questioned, shrugging, though the voices in my head were screaming the answer.

"I guess we need Alice now..." Fierce Fox joked, as we grinned at each other. I briefly turned my head towards the 'Carrot Farm' sign.

"Look, I have no idea... Maybe we should go that way?" I suggested, acting as stupid as I could, gesturing to the sign.

"Guess so." Fierce Fox replied, and the two of us trotted side by side to the carrot farm, the disgusting mulch beneath us reeking our noses. There was a farmer in front of us, under an ancient sign for 'Funny Bunny Farms'. To his left is an old, white brick house, with smashed windows, and a bolted-up door. Everything about the house speaks dangerous. Heck, it creeped me out when I was playing the island as Fierce Fox. I kept my game-face on.

"How do we get inside?" I asked, trying to eye gesture towards the chimney, but not too obviously.

"There's gotta be an entrance around somewhere..." Fierce Fox wondered, as she examined the house. Then I gasped, pretending I had discovered something brand new.

"The chimney!" I cried, jabbing a finger at the red brick, dirty chimney.

"Clever thinking!" Fierce Fox replied, bending her knees. I replicated her, trying to ignore my fear, as we both leaped up to the top. I expected to hit my face and scar my skin, but strangely, I didn't- well, that's Poptropica. Though I still got the adrenaline rush.

Shutting my eyes, I leaped into the chimney like Santa Claus, dropping down into the ancient house. Chills shivered up my spine, and my teeth threatened to chatter, but I shook my head, exhaling deeply. I examined the house, which has an olive green, peeling wall paper; scratched furniture; a table with an overgrown plant; a sign that says 'I love carrots' and a little silver bowl. The floor creaked as I took a step, and the rustic stanch overflowed my nostrils.

"Creepy." Fierce Fox commented behind me, suddenly appearing. I kept in my squeal.

"What do we need to do now?" I wondered coolly, shrugging, as I walked forward, pretending to act perplexed. I obliviously headed right over an empty bowl, collecting it. "Oh... I think we were meant to do that..."

"Is there anything else we need to do?" Fierce Fox asked. I faced her with a look of confusion.

"I have no clue. Maybe we should search?" I suggested, acting as casual as I could. "Or, y'know, logic, we need to fill this bowl up with something." Suddenly, I was interrupted by a high-pitched meow. "A cat! We need to investigate!" I cried, jabbing my finger to the layer above me. Fierce Fox bolted on, like an athlete, slithering up to the top. I heard a shower turn on, and another cat yowl, before the cranky Poptropican returned.

"That cat ain't friendly." she grumbled, folding her arms across her chest. I chuckled.

"That stinks, man. For now I'm worried 'bout what we could do with this bowl. What do you think we could put in it?" I clasped the bowl in my hands, gesturing to it as I spoke.

"Couldn't hurt to search." Fierce Fox said, which I agreed to with a nod. The two of us somehow climbed up the chimney- which took most of my strength and persistence. I tried not to limp and act drained as we headed back to the main street. To be honest, that weakness was not really physical. It was just what I expected, so it was mentally created. A bit stupid, really.

Anyway, the two of us observed the remote town. I eyed the Carrot Dinner, its broken lights dimming, with an eyebrow raised.

"Maybe there's something in there?" I observed causally. We entered, picking up on the stuffy chairs and marvelously grimy floor. Only a few of the lights work; they shine down on the rotten food. A woman- named Flo- who looks like she's from the 80s roamed around, carrying a jug of milk.

"Excuse me," I approached her, holding out the bowl. "Know anything that could fill this bowl?"

"This milk could do the trick!" Flo exclaimed, pouring the white, creamy liquid into my glass bowl.

"Oh... Thanks," I replied, staring at Fierce Fox with turmoil, as the milk vanished into my inventory. I followed her outside, her eyes displaying a small amount of suspicion- which was nothing compared to when I was Alice, by the way. I grinned. "That was weird. Seriously, who gives out free milk? What the heck are we going to do with it anyway, dude?"

Fierce Fox's eyes became filled with curiosity. "Suppose... We could give it to someone... I don't know.."

Then I gasped. "The cat! Cats like milk, don't they?"

Fierce Fox grinned. "Of course! You're a genius!"

I chuckled, shaking my head, though my stomach was a pit of dismay. "Nah, I'm just a newbie. Seriously man, I've just been guessing here. Honestly, you haven't been doing enough. Why don't you give this to the cat? I'll see if I can find anything about this... Bizarre place, 'cause I don't know anymore than you do." I handed her the bowl of milk, with another one of those confident smiles.

"Thanks, bro." Fierce Fox replied, rushing off with the milk. I gave her a quick salute. When she was gone, I fell to my knees, totally unlike Brave Tiger, exhaling heavily. Boy, this is going to be harder than I thought. Well, honestly, I didn't misjudge this for being easy, of course, but it's not like I thought it was going to be overly difficult. At least when I was Alice I didn't have to act like Superman. Now I did. But how else am I going to get home? Then again... Did I really want to leave? Or is it just because I want to get out of Fierce Fox's sight?

I could see said Poptropican coming my direction, so I speedily hopped to my feet, making a bold pose. Fierce Fox appeared rather bothered, and when I heard a meow, I understood why.

"This stupid cat's following me!" she complained, glaring at the feline. He (I think) meowed at me. I faintly bit my lip.

"I checked all the stores; this one," I gestured to Charlie's Carrot Supplies. "Is missing a cat."

"Cool." Fierce Fox replied, disappearing inside the shop, the kitty following her. I relaxed my muscles and lowered my chest. Goodness. Those break moments were more precious than I thought they'd be. Unfortunately, they didn't last long. "Gave the cat back to the lady. She gave a crowbar."

"Really?" I asked, fake confusion entering my voice. "What could we do with that?"

"You expect me to know?" Fierce Fox grumpily asked, with a shrug. I struck an inquisitive pose.

"Well, some of the Poptropicans here told me about an old carrot cake factory. Said it was shut down or something. Perhaps... We need to use it to get in." Fierce Fox seemed pleased. I wasn't.

The Carrot Cake factory is old alright. Creepy, too. There are large pipes holding deadly, green liquids; smoky pipes; peeling signs; smashed windows; creaky, bolted up door ways and a sewage underneath the whole thing. It made the hairs on my arms stand up. Thank goodness I was wearing a jacket.

Fierce Fox and I scaled over the spooky factory, as we couldn't go under it (like we would want to anyway). It took every ounce of my strength- well, mental strength, to hop over that factory. The crumbling bricks made my fear almost take over. I kept telling myself about home and freedom, which pulled me through. I also discovered that no matter how many noogies I give myself about being courageous, my old human fear is always there. Forever. At least I was able to wear a mask of heroism.

We found a metal pipe which is connected to the factory, a few footsteps above the sewage. It was blocked by a broad sheet of metal.

"I guess this is where the crowbar comes in." I humbly pointed out, clenching the crowbar in my thumb-less hands. I shoved the sharp end of the crowbar in the gap between the metal and furiously dragged it. It strained my muscles, and sweat poured down my cheeks, from both pressure and fear. But the lid popped off, and we were free to enter.

The inside is disgusting. The pipes are dark and stinky, full of growing mould and creaking metal platforms. Sewage water drips from the pipes, and everywhere around me I could hear faint echoes of machinery. I placed on a tough face.

"I think we head through..." I spoke up, cringing as I stepped forward. Fierce Fox had a quicker pace, so I forced mine to replicate hers, as we climbed up to the moving platforms. I stupidly missed one of them, so I slipped and fell into the gap between. The platform was right behind my head, ready to come up any second and smash it. Don't forget to mention that my fingers were frailing. Fierce Fox flipped around to assist me, but then I remembered what she said about me- Alice- and instead I swung myself up, landing stomach first on the platform. Fierce Fox sighed and continued.

Using my energy all over again, I caught up to her. She was facing the rats. Great. The brown creatures waddle across the mucky floor, squeaking like mad, their teeth poking out. Then I said something I almost regretted.

"Race you to the end!" I cried, my adrenaline about to explode. I, rather bravely, leaped into a little loop tunnel, over the rats. I somersaulted through that, my feet hitting the metal floor. I wanted to pause and rub my eyes, but I had no time. I didn't even care where Fierce Fox was. Instead, I bolted forward, coming to a section where it goes upwards. Bending my knees, I jumped-climbed, using my real bounding strength, like a real Poptropican. My heart raced; I was suddenly blinded by competitiveness. It was a new feeling.

Well, not really. Before I got my leg problem, I was very very competitive. I was obsessed with winning; the glory and the prize. Then my leg became an issue. My old, energetic attitude died, as well as the majority of my happiness. I didn't care about winning anymore. In fact, I always expected to come last. I didn't even try. I was too afraid that I'd do something bad if I tried again.

Now I had the chance to retrieve it, after all these years. And it felt great. My fear wasn't actually controlling me for once, and I truly felt free.

A smile gripped my face, as I suddenly sprung out of the sewer, into a new room. Right next to me is a green cube with three levers. I switched the middle one the full way down; the left one half; the right one half. An engine came to life, lighting up the room with a faceful of dust. A red, metal wheel began to turn, pulling a magnet through the air; it sprinkled embers down onto the floor. I noticed the piles and piles of wooden crates, all covered in ancient dust and a robot rabbit symbol.

"You came first!" Fierce Fox panted, as she collapsed onto the floor, exhausted. Exhausted! Now that's something I would never expect from her. I helped her to her feet, letting her eyes float over the room. "Huh.."

"Race you to the top?" Her eyes showed a blank, tired expression as my answer. "This is your chance to redeem yourself. Unless you're chicken..."

A fire suddenly erupted in Fierce Fox's eyes, burning the sleepiness. "No way! It's on!" I chuckled and sprinted up the boxes, using every ounce of energy I could find. I wasn't afraid anymore. I was enjoying myself. My feet shoved me off the boxes, Fierce Fox right by my side. She would've never believed that that was the same girl she had to drag around a few days before.

I climbed onto the magnet, floating across the sky, watching the flying embers. I got to the red and blue platform on the other side, which has the entrance to the vents. I peered inside the darkness and dust, not even my childhood fear scaring me now.

"Meet you in here, sucker!" I jeered, bolting inside the vent. A mysterious light seemed to flash in front of my eyes when I entered the vents. The metal felt cool against my skin; the fans blowing air sending a shiver up my spine. I hopped down, the fans' air slowing my pace, as I climbed through the vents. A visual map of the vents popped up in my head, directing me where to go. My pace began to pick up. Suddenly I remembered Fierce Fox, lost in the dark.

"Fierce Fox!" The fear was back as I called out. Where is she? Why did I leave her? She doesn't know where she's going! My muscles tensed, realizing the idiotic mistake I had made. Now I remembered why I gave up on my competitiveness. I always failed. I turned around, facing the pitch black of the vents, the fans blowing my hair. It's a funny thing, when you realize that one little thing is wrong with your happiness, and it all goes away... Replaced with horror. Pure horror.

"Brave Tiger! Where are you?" Fierce Fox sounded desperate.

"FIERCE FOX! HERE!" I cried out, pleading that she heard me. I could hear her frantic breathing and heavy footsteps, which relaxed yet disturbed me. Then I saw her silhouette and I held out my hand. She grabbed onto it, her sweaty palms drenching my hand. I pulled her over to join my side, leaping over the blowing fan. Then I bolted with her, furiously brushing past the fans and graffiti on the walls. We made our way through a section of ice, our hair flowing. After picking up a pair of wire cutters and exiting the vents, we finally arrived in a room stocked full of boxes.

"You okay, man?" I asked, as we stood on a platform towering above the boxes. Fierce Fox gave me a brief nod. Then it hit me. I just saved her. She had been saving me. Now I am the hero. I tried to not let the shock show on my face. "Maybe there's something down there..." We both leaped down, our feet making contact with the boxes. A floating rabbot head approached us, its eyes flashing red; it teleported us away.

A flash of light took us to a freezer. Everything in the room is covered in a layer of ice and frost, a single light beaming down at us. I eyed the security system.

"Hm..." I spoke up thoughtfully, leaping up to the little silver plate. I ripped it open, observing the mix of wires. Clutching my wire cutters, I cut them all up, their electricity flashing in my eyes.

"What..." Fierce Fox breathed, massaging her biceps.

"I think I disabled the security," I answered cluelessly. I jerked my head up to the floor above us, where an icy vent lay. "Let's go back to the vents.. No race this time."

Fierce Fox and I explored the vents again, me acting as dumbfounded as I could. I pretended to act unsure of where we were going, secretly leading us to the Printer Room. The Printer Room is full of machinery, metal pipes and whirring engines. Our first obstacle was three vertical pipes shooting out rabbot crates. Each one increased in length.

With a lot of trial and error- plus getting whacked in the back many times- we made it past those things. We headed down to the layer below, which has a metal floor; a huge, cube-shaped system printer and boxes full of carrots and documents. A girl was standing in front of the ocean-coloured printer, her eyes swirly and green, with a pair of metal rabbot ears on her head.

"Uh... Hello..." I spoke apprehensively to the girl. She stared at me, completely unfazed. Then I gasped. "Hey? What's that behind you?"

"Where?" she cried, flipping around. I reached a quick finger over and slammed an OFF button on her hat. She gasped, the green swirls vanishing. "Thank you for freeing me! There's something you should see," the girl headed over to a keyboard connected to the printer, typing away. A piece of paper printed out, with the words 'fuzzybunny'. I pretended to act shocked, as it flew into my inventory.

"Look at this!" I exclaimed at Fierce Fox, handing her the paper. Meanwhile, I faced the girl, who was gazing off into the distance. "Excuse me... Could I borrow that hat of yours?"

The rabbot hat sat in my inventory, as Fierce Fox and I left that room, entering the vents again. We headed towards the room where we got zapped by the rabbot. It was surprisingly fun, as we hopped around together, leaping over the fans like sisters.

"You're way more awesome than Alice, let me be honest," Fierce Fox commented, with a grin. "I thought you'd be another one like her... But no... You're so much better."

The guilt sat in the pit of my stomach like an anchor. I put on a fake grin. "Thanks."

Since I had deactivated the security, we were free to hop down into the room. I admired the piles of crates and whirring, electric machines in the background. Another girl was in front of me, wearing the same rabbot hat as the other girl.

"Look out behind you!" I yelled.

"Where?" the girl cried, frantically turning around. I clicked the OFF button on her rabbot ears. She didn't thank me, for some reason. So I eyed Fierce Fox.

"Could you do the boy other there?" I asked, jerking my head to the right, towards a Poptropican boy. She gave me a nod and replicated what I did with him. Then the two of us, side by side, bolted past containers full of colourful, poisonous liquids and crates full of deadly properties. Together, we faced the security camera, which is connected to a metal door. Since we were not authorized drones, we dropped down a hatch, into a totally different room.

There are bronze pipes connected to red, metal blocks. The whole room shook from steam pouring from miniature thermometers connected to the pipes. Fierce Fox and I trotted to the end of our metal block, where underneath, heated pieces of metal get smashed by cool metal pillars. I felt the old fear return, sending shivers up my spine. This, unlike the other places, was actually a chance to get injured. Not seriously, of course, but still harmful.

"Wanna race again?" I asked. I was originally going to ask if Fierce Fox wanted to check on her own, but that might've made me look too chicken. And that's something I didn't want.

"Really? Fine..." Fierce Fox chuckled, as the two of us bent our knees. We hopped off the metal, making contact with a conveyor belt. A piece of flattened metal skimmed past my feet. A sickening crash hit the conveyor belt, forcing me to make eye contact with the great pillar. It raised upwards again, giving me my chance. Gulping, I slid underneath it, just as it came smashing down.

Fierce Fox was right behind me, with a competitive grin. I flashed her one back, as I prepared to dodge the next pillar. We slid under the next one; it briefly grabbed my hair. Then there's a funnel shooting out lava-hot liquid. Avoiding crispy toes, I bunny-hopped (no pun intended) over the boiling substance. Then, at the end of the conveyor belt, I soared across to the other side of the original metal platform, finding a rabbot hat.

"Bet you!" I jeered, as Fierce Fox joined my side. She chuckled.

"Good job." she replied. Then I handed her the rabbot hat.

"It can be your prize, bro." I laughed. She rolled her eyes at me, plopping it on her head. I put the one in my inventory on my head, and we looked like twins.

"Where'd you get that one from?" Fierce Fox questioned, eyeing my hat.

"Found it up here with yours," I answered, as bold as I could. I gestured to an exit tube near us. "Foxes first?"

Fierce Fox grinned and disappeared up the tube. I shoved a piece of hair out of my eye, not noticing the black tar it left on my fingers- it was turning back to blonde- before following after her. We arrived back in the room full of crates.

Fierce Fox and I did a bit of exploring, before I 'accidentally' went under the security camera, where the authorized drones could go. The security camera scanned me, before opening the bolted metal doors. Fierce Fox quickly joined me, and we headed inside together.

The next room is stuffed full of crates, and robotic platforms are all over the place. Computers are in the corners, all connected to a giant, silver rabbot, with bright green eyes. Dr. Hare was in front of us, standing on one of the floating platforms.

"Why are you two standing around? Get to the computer and start the launch sequence! I'll be waiting in the cockpit. Now move it!" he commanded at us, before the platform took him away.

"Great. Where's the computer?" Fierce Fox grumbled. I gave her a shrug, pretending to share in her confusion.

"Let's just explore and see if we can find it." I suggested, bolting up to the rabbot's giant foot. I climbed onto it, feeling the heat. I leaped up to the red, glass elbow, then across the blue-grid belt, upwards onto the shoulder. Climbing past the great green eyes, I arrived on a platform on the right, facing a big computer. A hypnotized boy was there, so I smashed his rabbot ears off.

"You've got to stop Dr Hare!" he exclaimed, as Fierce Fox joined my side.

"How?" I asked, trying my hardest to sound desperate. I pulled the 'fuzzybunny' paper out of my pocket. "Could I use this?"

"Looks like a password..." Fierce Fox examined. I gasped.

"The computer! Of course!" I faced the computer, the screen turning ocean-blue. I typed the password in, as well as the command, 'launch rabbot', which was on a sticky note. The whole world seemed to grumble, as the roof screeched open. The rabbot flew out, fire shooting from the bottom. The computer screen transformed into a game, where I had to steer the rabbot. "Fierce Fox!" I cried, directing her to the screen. "I'm not sure what to do!"

"Me too!" Fierce Fox replied, grasping the control. She steered the rabbot all over the place, eventually hitting an asteroid that looked like it was from the original Mario games.

"Watch it, you fool!" Dr Hare scowled, his face appearing on-screen. Fierce Fox kept steering it wildly, again smashing into another asteroid. "What are you doing? You'll destroy my rabbot!"

"Keep destroying him! He'll be defeated!" I squealed excitedly, as Fierce Fox drove into another asteroid.

"You'll pay for this!" Dr Hare yelled, still furious. Fierce Fox ran into the final asteroid; the rabbot stopped in its tracks.

"AHH!" Dr Hare screamed, as the rabbot exploded. The little, pink pixely Dr Hare flew into the galaxy.

"You did it! Now, let's get out of here!" the boy cheered, as ropes dangled down from the ceiling.

"Well done, man." I congratulated Fierce Fox, shaking her hand.

"You too," she paused. "Are you coming back with me? Maybe we could go to the disco at the Hub. You're kind of fun, I'll be honest."

"Uh..." For once, I let fear tinge my voice. "Well... No... Sorry man, I have to stay here."

Fierce Fox raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

I gulped. "I promised Charlie I would help set up her shop."

Fierce Fox smiled. "Well, we can both help her. The more the merrier, right?"

I glanced away. "She said she only wanted me."

"Really?" Fierce Fox groaned. I nodded reluctantly, swirling a piece of hair around my finger, more of the black coming out.

"It's what the voice wants," I said. I got out the carrot transporter, which I had picked up at the sewage pipes. "Let's go." I pressed the red button, and we disappeared in a flash of light.

We re-appeared back outside the factory, the sky now a brilliant blue. Fierce Fox was already dashing ahead, and I hurried myself to catch up with her. My hair was flowing in the wind, as I smiled and laughed, catching up with my supposed friend.

Fierce Fox was waiting in the town when I caught up.

"About time I beat you," she said, turning around to face me. "Anyway…" she stopped, her voice cracking.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes narrowed.

"Your hair... It's... gone blonde..." She jabbed a finger at my hair. Horrified, I picked up a strand. It was indeed blonde. The black had leaked out like water, so it looked really fake. Fierce Fox scowled. "You're not really called Brave Tiger, are you?"

"Um..." My stomach lurched. No... This can't be happening! "I..."

"Alice..." Fierce Fox's breathing was picking up. I gulped, not sure what to say. "You... You... LIED! YOU LIED! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONE BUT YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE! YOU TRICKED ME!"

All I could do was sit there like a guilty child. It was true... I wish I could say the truth... But she'd never listen..

Fierce Fox bared her teeth. "You... WHY?! I TOLD YOU TO GO AWAY! YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT NOW!"

Then I found the confidence. "Why?" I asked. "You have no reason. I was only tricking you because I wanted to leave before I could deal with you anymore. But you hate me, and presumably wouldn't cooperate, so I disguised myself. So we could enjoy each other's company. And you know what? I can't stop coming here. I can only leave when we complete an island together."

"What are you saying?!" Fierce Fox scowled, as I leaned back.

"Fierce Fox, if I ever want to go home- and leave you alone- then you have to beat an island." I continued. Fierce Fox glared at me.

"Stop lying!" she cried, covering her ears as if I was screaming.

"No. Because I'm not lying," I said. "Back in my world, I have a serious leg injury, that ruins my life. Everyday I'm bullied, harassed and teased. It just feels like Hell. The only thing I have is this computer game, Poptropica. I find so much joy in playing it, completing all the islands, with you. It makes me forget all about my leg, my fears, everything. One day I got sucked into the game, where I met you and Amelia. Since I already knew how to complete that island, I told you what to do. Then you started hating me, and you finally lost it in Time Tangled, so I attempted to never return to Poptropica, so you wouldn't have to put up with me. It didn't work, and I learnt that I can't stop coming. The only way I can leave is if we complete islands,"

I continued, "So I disguised myself as Brave Tiger, so we could complete this island and I could leave. This isn't how I wanted it to happen. Being in Poptropica has been my dream since I was small... I always get so jealous, watching you have all those adventures. And when I came here at last, I wanted to do that too, but I was a coward; I was afraid that I'd fail again. Just like in real life. When I was disguised as Brave Tiger, it felt like I was someone else; I had to be someone else, and that's when I truly had fun. But I should've known it wouldn't last. You hate me, just like everybody else does. I don't have a home after all; A place where I belong." I finished, watching Fierce Fox's expression change. She almost appeared sympathetic, but her brain was ticking behind her eyes.

I walked past her and chatted to the mayor.

"You saved the town!" he cried, handing me the medallion. I placed it in the shocked Fierce Fox's hands.

"Have some time to think about it." I said, as I vanished back to my world. Plopping on my bed, I immediately recognized the sharp pain from my leg. The morning birds were chirping noisily outside, forcing my eyes to flutter. I shook my head, apprehensively swinging my legs off my duvet. I hoped Fierce Fox would make the right choice.