I sat with the others in my subconscious. It was late, and I should be asleep, but at least I can let my body rest even if my mind won't settle down. Maybe it had something to do with the cruddy mattress, or the fact that three other boys shared the room with me. It's crazy! Three days ago I was running for my life from three jerks after school... Today I left the courtroom with a 3 month sentence for assault and battery on them, have to sleep in a cell, and there is what appears to be a violent psycho in my mind. How I long for the simpler days, where I walked home after school to game or read, instead of spending my afternoon split between lawyers and looking for the new dark personality hiding somewhere in my head...

"Sigh..."

"Aww cheer up mate, it's not all bad. At least locked up Mal can't do any more harm, besides you aren't alone, you 'ave us!" Svetlana nodded in agreement.

"And him..." I pointed out, gesturing into the immense empty space outside our living quarters. "He may not be able to do harm outside, but every time I'm out there, I worry that he's causing problems in here! You heard what Svetlana said, you saw those three bullies! This guy is dangerous!"

"Kid's got a point. E's bound ta come out sooner or later." Veto sided with me.

"Aw, don't you fret now, we haven't seen hide nor hair of 'im since Svetlana's little run in." Manitoba said, trying to reassure me.

"That isn't better!"

"Will you young'uns keep it down out there?!" Chester called from his room. I've offered to make his walls thicker to keep sounds out better, but he dislikes the idea of being isolated from us. It's sweet, in an annoying sort of way.

"He must be planning something." I continued, more quietly than before.

"Mikey boy is right! That evil genius could be up to anything!"

"Veto, don't call me that."

"Ey, it wasn't me."

"Then who..." I felt Svetlana stiffen beside me. My eyes widened. "Oh dear." Everyone jumped to their feet in a frenzy, scrambling to find the source of the dreaded voice. Chester locked himself in his room, Svetlana was huddled in a corner hyperventilating, I had no idea what to do so I just ran around searching for Mal, or a weapon, or something... Then Manitoba had swung his lasso too hastily, ensnaring Veto in it. Veto then thrashed around, knocking over furniture in his struggle to untangle himself from the ropes. it was bedlam!

"My, my... What a lovely bunch of chaos I've caused." A deep, gleeful voice said from the shadows. Obviously enjoying himself. We froze in our tracks.

"And that's just with a few words... Imagine the fun we could have if things got really scary." He said with a laugh. I found my voice and called out:

"You-you'd better leave us alone! Why, you're nothing but a mean old villain!"

"Hm, and you're the heroes? Come to save the world from my might? How droll." The voice mused from it's hiding place. I glanced around the trashed living room. Wow, he was right. We made terrible heroes... He used the moment of distraction to dart in and punch Veto before disappearing again.

"Ey, why me!?"

"easy target." he chuckled once again blending with the shadows. He are we supposed to catch this dude? Wait, I got it!

"Guys, huddle up! We need to use teamwork!" I gathered them. Then a slow clap echoed through the room.

"Bravo, you have a plan now. I'm quaking in fear." The voice exclaimed sarcastically. "Whatever shall I do against such amazing strategists?" He continued, chuckling. He was trying to throw us off. I ignored him, finishing explaining my plan.

"So, everyone knows what they will do?" I looked at each of them in turn, receiving a nod in reply. "Then-"

"Wait... Doesn't this plan require us ta know where the wily dingo is ta work?" I facepalmed.

"Okay, new plan. We-"

"Um, hey, hate to interrupt, but shouldn't you make the plan before you run into the bad guy? I've been waiting for like, ten minutes now." I started to turn around.

"Will you just let me- " I completed my turn, only to come face to face with The Malevolent One.

"boo."

"Aaaaiiieeeee!" I shrieked and leapt back, knocking over Manitoba.

"Ow..." Mal said flatly, rubbing his ears and looking quite unimpressed. "Seriously?" He asked quirking an eyebrow at me.

"Eheh..." I rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment. Wait a minute... "Guys, the plan! Do the plan!"

"oh, right!" Svetlana said, leaping into the air. Mal moved his head to follow her arc. So far so good. Veto snuck around behind The Dark Alter, attempting to put him in a headlock. m"nice try." Mal mocked, hearing his approach and turning around, dodging Veto's fists. Perfect. Manitoba gathered his lasso behind the 6th personality and let it fly, it wrapped itself around his midsection, trapping his arms against his body.

"Yeah!" I called. "Good work everyone!" I looked down at Mal triumphantly.

"Yeah, whoop de doo. You caught the bad guy. Now what exactly did you intend to do with me?" He questioned, voice dripping with sarcasm. we all shared a glance, then looked back at- hey! Where'd he go?

"Ha ha, idiots." His voice said from a distance, fading steadily.

"Darn it!"

"You suckers let him get away!" Veto accused.

"Oy, it was your fault too!" I sighed and turned away from their argument. Hm... Something seems... Off... Oh no.

"Um... guys? Where's Svetlana?"