As the morning sun slowly lifted over the horizon, Jack had gotten out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. Jack, Kitty, and Dudley had checked into a hotel on the way over to their destination. Too bad nobody was there to do so. Apparently they had all evacuated when Zero's hordes had started to rise. And seeing that it was so late, and they needed some shelter for the remainder of the night, they had unlocked the door, and checked into their own rooms. Once in the bathroom, Jack removed his outer wear after he closed the door and put the shower on. It did feel nice to wash up after a long day on the job. Even though he still felt a little worn out, he knew they couldn't stay for long. So after he finished his shower, he turned the water off, dried off with his hair dryer he had brought in with him and redressed.

"Well, it's time to get a move on", he thought to himself.

This hotel was from one of his past times with Kitty back when they were partners. A homicidal lunatic was loose here and nobody was brave enough to find out so Jack and Kitty were sent in to spend the night and catch the criminal. It worked, and even after all this time, the memory still lingered in his mind.

"Yeah, those were the good times", he thought, "until that day showed up when I just had to go."

As much as it pained him to think that, Jack knew Kitty felt the same way. For someone who was so close to him, who wouldn't? Just as he was leaving the room he was occupying, Jack noticed that he still had his stuff to pack up. That took a wile, but when everything was set, he made his way to the lobby and found something that got him thinking. Most of the furniture was chewed up as though a wood chipper had gone on a rampage in there. Kitty was standing nearby and Jack looked at her pretty perplexed.

"Do I want to know?", he asked her.

"Dudley's just chewing furniture again", Kitty informed as she turned to see Dudley chewing on a table leg with Jack following.

Dudley noticed he was caught and looked up at them.

"I can't help it. I chew things when I'm nervous."

"Like the time you chewed all of TUFF's furniture?", Kitty asked him sounding annoyed.

She remembered that time alright. It was when Bird Brain thought he was the only blue bottomed booby in Petropolis. Dudley and her were even sent to jail for endangering him further, but Dudley chewed them out since the bars were redecorated as well as the whole prison. Fortunately, Bird Brain created a monster bird from his own DNA and therefor made it possible to take him in to jail again.

"Hey, I didn't have control of myself that time", Dudley protested, "and it saved the day didn't it?"

Kitty slapped herself in the forehead.

"Oh, jeez Dudley. Don't you even think things through for once?"

"I don't know I drown you out a lot."

Jack finally decided to put his foot down.

"Stop arguing.", he insisted, "Save that for another time. For now we need to get moving. Who knows when you-know-who might get the idea we know something he doesn't?"

Kitty and Dudley took a moment to catch their breath. Jack had a point about the issue at hand. And the more time they spent on minor issues, the worse things got. So they packed their things into Jack's car again and soon they were off again.

Back in Petropolis, Zero was in his room observing the outer countries through his infernal power stone( as usual).

"It won't be long now", he thought to himself, "soon my new Inferno will be made and all will know of the power I possess. How dear Donnagon would have looked if he saw this."

Zero frowned, remembering his first attempt to turn the world into an inferno. He was stopped that time, but this was different. This time, he was ready for anything any "mortal" could throw his way.

"I do hope that little gift I sent will prove..effective. Donnagon really worked hard to make the base of it, but the rest I did myself."

He chuckled at his own little comment.

"Now that will cause a massive dose of paranoia for a certain...operative of mine who is MIA at the moment. Now I'm gonna make it a permanent break."

Just then, a knock came on his door. Zero was not accustomed to having visitors in the middle of his vanity sessions so he got pretty upset about the intrusion. He waved his hand over the power stone, and it went black as onyx. Then he turned and saw that Galaril had entered the room.

"What is it?", Zero sneered.

Galaril knew that Zero was unstable in his mood so he quickly thought up something to inform.

"Sir, the patrols are in position in this city. And we have word that the United Nations are in a panic."

Zero lifted an eyebrow.

"Oh really?"

"As really as it gets your evilness", Galaril informed, "Also, I noticed something came from your new tower here and it was heading off somewhere. Is it something I should be aware of, or is that for you to know?"

Zero's sneer broadened further which ment Galaril had to use a different approach and fast.

"So, real soon the world will be yours. And what happens afterward?"

"We remain as the Earth's immortal rulers. Preserving the Earth of thought, emotion and free will. Somewhere where we will reside until the end of time."

Zero cackled which echoed off the walls and out into the darkening landscape where pedestrians who were still working cringed as the horrid sound reached their ears and shook their souls. Even Galaril shuddered as he was near Zero most. Zero finished his cackle and turned to Galaril.

"Well, you still here? BEAT IT!"

Galaril took that as a sign he had to leave so he bowed as it was required, and turned to leave.

"Oh, one more thing, Galaril", Zero called after him which made Galaril pause.

Just as Galaril was turning around, Zero fired an explosive chaotic bolt his way which caused him to run out, with Zero firing two more after him.

"Thank you", Zero spoke devilishly to himself when he was done and after two bangs went off.

Byron and Glacia were outside and on patrol. When they came out from their hiding places behind some large dark curtains, Zero was busy gazing at his power stone again( observing the chaos and devastation no doubt).

Galaril had limped his way out of Zero's presence( for now) and now he was in a major upset. Oh why did he have to make allies with this beast? And all this hurtful things Zero did to him? Man, he could still feel the chaos bolts Zero had hurled at him( and believe me, they hurt). Galaril still had to walk back to his room rather slowly due to his fatigue and injuries.

"Of all the things that dog could put me through, this is just degrading", he muttered very annoyed to himself, "I give him advise on who is trustworthy, I lead his armies into victory, and what happens? He treats me like I'm his stress pillow than his adviser. I'd like to see him live the way I do."

Galaril had now made his way to his herd which were taking residence( the room was very big). They lit up when they saw him.

"Good morning Galaril", they said very pleasant.

"Good morning herd", Galaril answered in a very grumpy tone.

Galaril's herd then noticed that Galaril looked very beaten and tired so they set his bed for him which he happily accepted( in his own demonic way). And after having Galaril seated and then laid out across the silk mattress, his herd tended his injuries.

"Um, you didn't make Zero mad did you?", Blaze, a dark brown Nightmare asked him unsure.

"I DIDN'T make him mad.", Galaril answered rather harshly, "Zero just hurled chaos bolts at me because he was bored and didn't sleep at all."

Even though Galaril was on the finest silks and fluffy pillows, it was plain to see he was not very comfortable( especially with those injuries flaring).

"So what do we do now?", Ingrid, a dark gray Nightmare asked him.

Although Galaril was the head of his herd, even he needed his beauty sleep. Not to mention their power was less effective if used in the middle of the day. Being creatures of night, Galaril's herd was at their strongest in the shadows made by the moon in the middle of the night.

"Don't know about all of you, but I'm gonna get some shut eye. A lot of shut eye."

Galaril's herd agreed with his decision and returned to their own beds after Galaril was patched and his injuries recovering. Galaril had just slipped into slumber, and he was also plotting at the same time.

"Zero doesn't know it yet, but he's not the only one who's got a plan in motion. While he remains oblivious to the fact I'm serving him, I am secretly waiting til he's vulnerable. And I'll show him what it means to be mistreated. And maybe I could get 01 to assist me. After all, if I know Zero, and I know I do, he has an escape clause in his contract. All I need to do is find it."

Galaril giggled mischievously in his sleep as he slept on recovering.

By now Jack was driving up the road into the rising sunshine. The great outdoors really made quite a scenery. They even passed by an open lake and the glow was so clear and so pure. Kitty was in shotgun(if you know what I mean). Dudley as usual was in the back sleeping( hey can you blame him for not getting enough sleep last night?). Now normally I don't recommend we enter Dudley's mind, but something was going on in there that just needs to be explained. Deep inside of Dudley's subconsciousness, 01 was lurking. After Zero forced him back into this chamber of isolation, he figured it would only be temporary. Now he was not so sure. Just when he was having fun with his own reign of terror and almost subduing a despised adversary, Zero intervenes and ruins everything. Just then, Zero materialized onto the imaginary floor and 01 instantly noticed.

"What are you doing here?", he asked coldly.

"Not the best thing to ask.", Zero stated, "Especially to the one you owe your existence to."

01 hurled an imaginary fireball at Zero who vanished before it hit followed by Zero's all too familiar laugh.

"I send an image of myself to remind you of how well you did, and you try to kill it? Talk about ungrateful."

01 looked around, but Zero was nowhere to be seen. Still, he kept a fireball in his hand. Blazing and at the ready.

"So how have you been since your...encounter?"

01's face darkened into a look of anger.

"I'm locked away inside the mind of an idiotic butt chewing moron, who rejects pants, and his dream scape is really starting to annoy me. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?!"

As loud as the conversation was, please keep in mind that Dudley heard nothing. Zero had now rematerialized and 01 figured he would just fade again if he hurled his fireball so he clenched his hand making the fireball fizzle out and vanish.

"That's better.", Zero said looking satisfied, "Now then, I have a proposal for you."

"As if I couldn't resist? Don't underestimate me Zero. I am able to turn on you. Especially since I know your contract's loophole."

Zero wanted to hurl something just as bad, but paused. He knew how to play the game. 01 may know the loophole in his contract. Or did he?

"So 01, you think you have an idea on how Dudley can be influenced again?", Zero asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah.", 01 answered smiling devilishly, "I'll enter his dreams when he sleeps and take it from there."

Zero smiled as devilishly as 01 had.

"Yes, after all Dudley is mortal. He needs to sleep sometime. And when he does...you'll be there. Just what I had in mind. Don't blow it."

With that, Zero snapped his fingers and vanished. 01 waited until he was sure Zero had left and then he turned to see a window into Dudley's dream he was having at this very moment.

"Oh I won't.", 01 chuckled malevolently to himself, "Especially with this one."

Now what was going on in Dudley's mind, I'd only imagine. Basically, Dudley was dreaming about his days back on TUFF. Walking around, goofing off, and having a ball. Everywhere he went pedestrians said hello and then as he was walking down the street, he noticed a small door.

"Where did that come from?", he wondered.

And almost immediately, a voice answered him.

"Enter, and find out. It's only a door that might show you your delight."

Dudley didn't know if it was his own thoughts or a voice of reason, but he went through the door as instructed to find himself in a dark hall with hardly any lights. He thought of leaving, until the door behind him slid shut. As he walked on, the hall brightened into a garden. In all Dudley's life, he had never seen something so serene and peaceful. There were large orchards and plants that grew meat all cooked and ready to be plucked. There was even a spring the flowed sparkling clear water next to a flowing river of gravy. It was no use trying to resist. Dudley already started chomping away on the sizzling meat and fruit until he had to pause for a refreshing drink from the sparkling spring.

"I've never been so happy in my life.", he said aloud, "I don't wanna wake up."

Yeah, it was a real delight, until the place began to dissolve. The plants and meat turned gray and rotten. The river and spring turned black and oily. Now Dudley started to feel uneasy. As he turned to leave, the spring bubbled and 01 rose from it and when he saw Dudley's scared face, he smiled showing his razor sharp teeth.

"Sorry about ruining your little lunch break. But you have something I would really love to have."

Dudley slowly backed away and 01 chuckled.

"Oh Dudley Puppy, I can smell your fear. You remember the times you were looking through my eyes. "

Dudley was now backing up til he touched a dissolving tree and after spinning around a second he saw 01 had vanished.

"I'm gonna love this game we're gonna play. It's my favorite."

Dudley was now getting scared.

"Game?", he asked, "What game?"

01 had appeared behind him and clutched Dudley's head in his dark gray claws. The area vanished and in it's place, Dudley saw a bunch of bubbles floating around. Inside each one was a different viewing. He saw on of him sending little birds at Keswick and Keswick's brother in law. Another showed him fake crying. Dudley tried turning away, but the bubbles followed his gaze. 01 let go and the bubbles disappeared.

"Not much of a good dog are you?", 01 asked him.

Dudley just stood there. The area then turned into a bleak dark room with very little light like the hall Dudley entered. 01 floated down til he was in front of Dudley and his black t-shirt had formed into a pair of large black angel wings.

"You may wake up soon, but know this: no matter where you go, no matter where you try to hide, you will never escape from me. And when I break out of your feeble mind and take over your body again, you will be the voice in my head I will ignore and be locked away in your own subconsciousness forever."

Dudley then awoke to find himself still in Jack's car and Jack and Kitty seemed to occupied to notice him. 01's words still ringing in his ears, Dudley figured he had enough rest for today.