Chapter 8

A/N: This is it! The end! I know, you're all so disappointed, but I don't think there was much I could do with the storyline. Don't worry, I will post an epilogue.

Thank you for your reviews! I really appreciate them!

"So, you come here often?"

Chandler winced at the glares he received. The Zoom team had been thrown in the jail cell opposite and a little to the right of him, much to his dismay. His meager attempts at humor hadn't been working for the past few hours, and he wasn't sure why he thought that line would.

One of the superheroes, who Chandler remembered was called Houdini, rolled his eyes. "Do you ever shut up?"

"Not if I can help it," Chandler retorted. When no one replied, they fell into an uneasy silence for what must have been the twelfth time that hour. He had come to conclude that the entire Zoom team was very pissed off at him.

Well, he couldn't say that since the whole team wasn't there. The only captives were the older heroes – Zoom, Wonder, and Houdini. Chandler guessed that Mega Boy and Princess weren't there because it was past their bedtimes, but he didn't dare ask.

Another question he wasn't about to ask was why the team was there in the first place. Surely they wouldn't bother breaking into the warehouse and risking their lives for his sake. Maybe it was a superhero code or something that forced them to save any one person, no matter how much they hated his guts.

He was about to say something else when the side door opened. Everyone in the room sucked in a breath as Volcano strolled in. Chandler was very worried by the satisfied smirk the other man wore.

"Keeping each other company, I hope?" Volcano remarked. Not waiting for an answer, he continued, "Well, Chandler, you can breathe easy for now. My limo driver called, and your fiancé is on her way."

"No," Chandler whispered, though on some level he knew she would come. He didn't even bother looking at the team's reaction to the news; he honestly didn't want to know.

Ignoring that, Volcano went on, "Though I wouldn't get too comfortable, and that goes for you three as well. Once Monica is zapped with my latest toy, you'll each have a turn."

"Latest toy?" Zoom repeated.

Volcano gestured at the window in Chandler's cell. "See that laser beam? The team of scientists I hired created it for me as a little favor. I originally wanted it to just remove the powers of any superhero and convert them into energy that I can absorb."

"Originally?" Chandler echoed, positive that he shouldn't have asked two seconds after he did.

Chuckling, Volcano answered, "It's a fortunate coincidence, really."

"Fortunate for who?" Wonder muttered.

"For me of course," Volcano explained. "What the scientists discovered was, superpowers are part of a hero's genetic makeup. They found that they couldn't remove special abilities without killing their owner. At least, if the machine was left on too long it would. It's a very effective time saver, if you ask me."

No one knew how to respond to that. Shocked speechless, the rest could only stare as Volcano left the cell block without saying another word.

There wasn't another sound until Zoom suddenly kicked his cell's bars. "Chandler, this all your stupid fault! If Monica had stayed behind that day, we all wouldn't be prisoners of a maniac!"

"Yeah, I know, you don't have to remind me," Chandler sighed, too exhausted to defend his pride.

Not hearing Chandler's quiet acknowledgement, Zoom ranted, "It's Monica's fault too! Why did she have to lie to us like that? She knows how important trust is. And why wouldn't she tell me of all people that she had a fiancé? That was just mean…"

"What?" Chandler glanced up at that.

Zoom froze, obviously realizing what he just said. "Well, um, you know, we've all told her about our lives…"

"You had a crush on Monica!" Chandler accused.

"Okay, yeah I did, so what?" Zoom spat. "It's not like I did anything wrong! We flirted a little, and since I didn't know she had a boyfriend, I thought she meant it!"

Chandler tried to keep his jealousy in check. "Is that why you cut Monica from the team? Because you thought she had been leading you on? Because if you did, I may have to come over there and beat your head into the brick wall…"

"No!" Zoom protested. "It may have been a little part of why I overreacted, but that had nothing to do with my decision!"

"For your sake, I'll believe that," Chandler muttered, feeling his anger rise.

Wonder had been sitting cross-legged on the floor, but now stood up and spread out her hands like a referee. "Time out! The last thing we should be doing right now is fighting! We should be thinking of ways to avoid being turned into piles of ash by that laser!"

Silence again. Instead of taking Wonder's suggestion, Zoom and Chandler stared each other down. Finally, Chandler decided to break the ice. "You really think that laser will turn us into ash? I always thought cartoons were cool where someone gets zapped and they turn into a roasted chicken…"

Sitting in the back of the limo, Monica concentrated on wrapping her trench coat's sash around her fingers. It was something to do, and right then she'd never needed to keep her mind occupied more so in her entire life.

Still, she couldn't ignore her thoughts. She kept wondering if she'd get to see Chandler before Volcano killed her. It didn't pay to be naïve – her death would happen some time tonight. She just wished she could tell her fiancé that she was sorry for everything and that she loved him…

The limo came to a stop. While the driver's parking had been smooth, Monica's head snapped up as if he had slammed on the brakes. She quickly shed her trench coat, turned to face the door, and tried in vain to swallow the lump in her throat.

The door was opened and she stepped out, keeping her wits about her. She flinched as the limo driver gripped he arm and walked her up to large double doors.

She did not expect the treatment she received once she stepped through the entryway. In her mind, Volcano would've been waiting for her. However, the second the doors closed behind her, Monica was grabbed from behind and forced into a large warehouse area.

Gasping, Monica blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Money was everywhere, being carted around and stacked by men dressed in jeans and black jackets. Her eyes widened in horrified understanding when they rested on the laser sitting in front of a wall with a average-sized picture window. That looks like it's gonna hurt.

Though Monica knew resistance wouldn't help, she lost all common sense as panic and fear overcame her. She struggled. She kicked, squirmed, even tried to fly out of her captor's grasp. But the more she fought, the more men rushed over to keep her under control.

Eventually they had to carry her by her arms and legs, which hurt her dignity more so than her limbs. Realizing that she didn't want to go this way, she relaxed her muscles. They got the message and let her walk, though two men made sure her arms stayed behind her back.

Where's Chandler? Monica began to wonder. Volcano wouldn't blast her without letting her see Chandler…would he?

She concentrated on staying calm as they neared the laser, and suddenly noticed the table with the straps attached. Racking her brains, she gave a desperate attempt to figure her way out of this. She kept thinking, even as she was secured to the table.

"Monica!"

The voice was muffled, but she heard it. To her right, beating his hands against the window, was Chandler. "Chandler, oh my God, you're okay! Honey, I am so sorry…"

"Hello, Monica."

Monica whirled her head around to her left, glaring at Volcano with as much hatred as she could muster. "Hello, bastard."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Volcano chuckled, leaning his arm on the top of the table, inches above her head. "So, how was your ride? I'm sure that wasn't your first time in a limo, but for most people it's a fairly special occasion."

"Oh yeah, I was thrilled," Monica retorted, sarcasm evident in her tone.

Volcano laughed again, obviously enjoying the sight of one of his enemies trapped and defenseless. "I must say, I'm a little surprised at you. Sending in the Zoom team? That had to be a very large blow to your stubborn pride."

"Zoom…they came? What did you do with them?" Monica demanded. She tried not to pay attention to the rising guilt. She had been sure they had taken her call and not bothered to come.

Volcano nodded. "Oh yes, they burst in here a few hours ago, all gung-ho about my downfall. As you can imagine, they were quite outnumbered and easily dealt with."

"Dealt with?" Monica whispered, not sure if she wanted him to explain what he meant by that.

Volcano took his arm off the table and strolled over to the laser. "You know, as much as I love to banter with my captives, I am rather eager to see this baby in action, so to speak. Enjoy the last five seconds of your life, Monica Geller."

"No!" Monica cried, giving one last effort to free herself. She could hear Chandler screaming. It must have been her imagination, but she could've sworn she heard her brother's shouts too.

The laser warmed up, the whole metal frame emanating a heat so strong that Monica thought she might die simply from that. A sharp red beam shot out and hit its target.

Monica shrieked, shuddering and flailing as the beam pierced her stomach. She felt her body weaken, and was about to become unconscious when…it stopped. After ten seconds, the laser had ceased fire.

"What the hell?" Volcano yelled with rage. Stomping over to her table, he seethed, "You've been granted an extra hour of life, Monica. Something went wrong in the laser's control room. Looks like you'll be able to talk to your fiancé after all."

She would've felt relief if she could; she was too drained to feel anything else. Once again she was grabbed by henchmen, only they had to carry her since she was too weak to walk.

Roughly thrown into a jail cell, Monica didn't even realize Chandler was there until he picked her up by her shoulders and slid her onto his lap. "Monica? Monica? Are you awake?"

"I'm…fine…" Monica managed to get out, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm so sorry, Chandler, I can't talk…in so much pain…"

"Sh, you don't have to," Chandler consoled, hugging her tight.

"What do we do now?"

Ross paused, unsure how to reply to Joey's question. They had just broken into the warehouse, crouched down behind tall stacks of money. It took them a minute to find a way in, but at that point they were all just happy the cab driver had been able to tail the limo the whole time.

That driver had gotten what was surely the biggest tip he ever received in his life.

Lost in thought, Ross snapped out of it when Phoebe pointed to their left. "Well, whatever we do, we should probably make sure Monica doesn't get anywhere near that thing."

"What?" Ross asked, following where Phoebe was pointing. A laser? You've got to be kidding me. Where does this guy get his taking-over-the-world plans from, a sci-fi comic book? "Pheebs, I'd have to agree with you on that one."

"But what can we do? They're almost there," Rachel reasoned.

Ross scanned the warehouse, hoping that inspiration would strike. He smiled when he spotted the wall adjacent to the one they were leaning up against. Through a large window Ross could see the control room. "Come on!"

Watching Ross make his way across the room, Phoebe huffed, "You have got to start telling people where you're leading them!"

About to follow suit, Rachel paused and whirled around. "Joey!"

Sure enough, the addressed friend was stuffing loose bills into his pocket. "This, free money! Me, poor actor! Give me a little credit!"

After much maneuvering, the four finally made it outside of the control room. Of course, the door was locked, and they could hear people inside. "It's locked! Damn it!" Ross exclaimed.

"Did you think there would be a welcome mat or something?" Rachel retorted.

Phoebe held up a hand. "Wait a minute." To the amusement of her friends, she took a paper clip from her pocket, straightened it out, and stuck it in the keyhole. She grinned when they heard the click of the lock. At the others' looks, she rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you're surprised."

What happened next went by in a blur for Ross. The four burst in, much to the shock of the two men manning the controls of the laser. For the first time in his life using his karate skills, Ross took out the first guy, while Phoebe kicked the other in the one place men should never be kicked.

Rachel and Joey had run to the control panel, becoming dizzy at the expanse of buttons. Rachel noted that the countdown timer was at ten seconds. "Okay, Joey, which button?"

"What do ya mean, which button?" Joey proceeded to push every button and turn every knob.

As the ten became five, Rachel panicked, "Oh my God, Joey, it's not working! Maybe we can tamper with the wires…" Removing a panel, Rachel smiled at the exposed wires.

"Okay, Rach, which wire you gonna snap?" Joey mocked.

Rachel smirked. "What do you mean, which wire?" She and Joey yanked the wires and gave a yelp of joy when they snapped.

All four, however, were stunned into silence when the laser went off. Ross let out a shout, turning away from the window. They all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the laser died down.

"They're taking her somewhere!" Phoebe exclaimed, grabbing Ross' hand and running out of the room. "We gotta go after them!"

"Monica? Monica?"

Forcing her eyes open, Monica tried to sit up. She wanted to rest, but Chandler kept calling her name every few minutes to make sure she was still breathing. "Chandler, relax, I'm alive."

"That wasn't me," Chandler replied, glancing around the cell room to find the source of the noise. His mouth fell open in surprise.

Monica was a little worried now. "Who is it?"

"Monica! Chandler!"

She watched in total disbelief as her brother burst into the room, followed by Phoebe and Joey. Struggling to at least sit upright against the back wall, Monica demanded, "What are you doing here? Are you crazy?"

"We're busting your asses out of here!" Phoebe exclaimed.

Chandler shook his head. "Wait, I don't understand. How did you find us?"

"We followed you in a cab," Ross explained, already examining the lock on the cell door, then glanced at Phoebe. "Pheebs, think you can work your magic on this thing?"

"Give me a minute or two," Phoebe replied, once again taking out her paper clip.

Joey, meanwhile, had approached the cell bars, trying to keep his calm at the sight of two of his best friends trapped. "Dudes, you okay? He didn't torture you or anything, did he?"

"Depends on what you mean by torture," Chandler deadpanned, giving the three other superheroes the evil eye.

Joey just then noticed that the heroes were in the room. "What are they doing here?"

"We were trying to save your friend over there," Zoom answered, obviously bitter that they had managed to avoid getting captured, and his own team hadn't. "How did you even get in here?"

"A ground floor window," Ross informed him.

"But then how…"

Ross shot him a meaningful look. "Trust me, you don't wanna know the details."

"Can you go any faster?" Joey urged Phoebe. "We shouldn't leave Rachel by herself too long."

"I'm almost there," Phoebe assured him.

Monica didn't believe what she was hearing. "Wait, Rachel is out there all by herself?"

"We needed a look out," Ross replied.

Chandler raised an eyebrow. "Dude, didn't you watch Scooby-Doo at all when you were a kid? The look-outs are always the first one to be caught by the monster!"

"I think we're ok, Chandler," Ross retorted. "This isn't going to take too long, and she's hidden behind a few money stacks."

"Okay…almost…there!" Phoebe cheered as the lock clicked. She slid the door open, and Chandler helped Monica walk out.

After hugging her brother and Joey in greeting, Monica suggested, "You guys stay here and help Phoebe if she needs it. We'll go get Rachel."

"I'm coming with you. You shouldn't go out there alone," Ross argued, following them outside. "Besides it'll be easier to find exits if there's four of us."

Monica wrinkled her brow. "Find exits? But –"

"Now is not the time to deal with Volcano, okay? Let's focus on getting out of here alive," Ross interrupted.

Once outside, however, Rachel was nowhere to be found. "Rachel?" Ross called softly, raising his voice as much as he dared.

"You said she was right outside the door?" Monica questioned.

Ross was about to answer, but kept silent as his gaze drifted upwards.

"Maybe she wandered off? But where…"

"Mon…"

"You don't think she got in trouble, do you?"

"Mon…"

"She better be if she's making us worry like –"

"Monica!"

"What?"

Ross pointed to the catwalk several feet above them, unable to speak. Volcano was simply standing there, watching them panic. He had an arm around Rachel's neck, and a fireball formed in his free hand.

"Let her go!" Monica shrieked, anger coursing through her veins. By then, the five others had run out of the cell room, horrified by the scene in front of them.

Ross was trembling. "Rachel, stay calm, we –"

"Will do exactly as I say," Volcano seethed, then noted that Monica was about to fly up there and attack. "If one of you, especially the heroes, so much as moves a muscle, she dies."

"Guys, don't listen to him! Forget about me and get him while you –" Rachel's pleas were cut off as Volcano covered her mouth with his hand.

Ross looked like he was about to explode. "What do you want?"

"I want you to all get back in your cells, now," Volcano demanded.

Monica began to debate her options, when she noticed Wonder. The teen was squinting her eyes ever so slightly in the direction of the fireball. Smiling with confidence, Monica turned back to Volcano. "All right, if you say so."

Suddenly the fireball in his hand flew out of his grasp, flying a few feet ahead of him, then starting darting towards him like a bullet.

Volcano leaped out of the way, throwing Rachel to the side in the process. Rachel tumbled over the low railing, plummeting towards the cement. Rising off the ground almost as soon as her friend did, Monica darted toward her, catching Rachel just in time.

Breathless, Rachel gripped onto her best friend for dear life. "Hey Mon, you know how you owed me one for when I got you those free outfits from work? Yeah, I'd say we're even."

After that, defeating Volcano was laughably easy. Joey, Phoebe, Ross, and Rachel fought off the surrounding henchmen with their varying degrees of expertise.

The superheroes rounded on Volcano. Wonder deflected any fireballs he tried to throw, and Dylan turned invisible and was able to grab him from behind. With his accelerated speed, Zoom dragged Volcano over to the laser and strapped him down to the table.

Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler had snuck off to the control room. Spotting the unconscious operators, Monica gave her fiancé a puzzled glance. "I wonder what happened to them?"

"My guess is that Ross finally got to use some of his karate," Chandler joked, putting the same emphasis on "karate" as Ross would.

Laughing, Monica examined the panel. "Okay, now how do I make this thing go off…"

"Are you gonna fry him?" Chandler asked, indicating Volcano, who was struggling to free himself.

Monica paused. She'd had every intention of making him take the beam until his insides charred. But…could she really kill somebody, even somebody evil?

Purposely not answering Chandler, she tried to start up the laser. Then she noticed the snapped wires. Sharing a look with Chandler, she reasoned, "They probably couldn't find the 'off' button."

Luckily, there was some electrical tape, and within minutes she turned it on. Volcano screamed, louder than she had, though she hadn't thought that was possible.

After only a second she couldn't take it anymore. She switched it off, then wrapped Chandler in a hug, leaning her head on his shoulder. "You still have your cell phone?"

"No, but the others have theirs."

"Good. Let's go call the police."