AN: Hi everyone! Here's the next chapter. I put the wrong season in the description but fixed that now. I haven't set an exact day for uploading as my days off of work are infrequent, but I'm aiming to post a new chapter about once a week. Let me know what you think!
Subconscious
"We can't just hide out here," Fiona said as they got back to the pack house.
"We won't, we just need to come up with a plan since Lydia's not going to be able to help us," Charlie stated.
"We should get Steve for this," Kaia said.
"He's upstairs and his connection is still block. We can let him process what's going on. He'll be able to hear us and can join if he wants, but for right now we have to figure this out on our own," Charlie said.
"How are we supposed to get them to remember us if everything from last semester has been erased?" Zach asked. "How am I still here?"
"Everything that happened in the past happened," Leonard explained. "Scott's pack would just remember things differently, but somethings won't be able to be reconciled. There could be blanks, or memories that just don't make any sense. If we can fill in the blanks, then we can probably get them to remember."
"Lydia might not be lost to us," Fiona stated. "She still remembered after Stiles was taken, she might be able to remember again."
"I can probably woo Malia over again with my charm," Jay said.
"Pretty sure she tried to kill you last night," Zach reminded the werechettah.
"Yeah, I was naked in her house. It's pretty jarring if you don't remember who someone is," Jay stated.
"Bring Zach just in case she decides to attack you again," Charlie stated.
"I can handle myself," Jay said.
"Fine, Zach can help me. I'll try to talk to Liam and the others. Zach may be able to connect to Corey better since they're both chimeras," Leonard said. "I worked with them before, they might remember," Leonard added before Charlie could protest.
"There's still some people who know us from before we came to Beacon Hills," Charlie said.
"Marin and Chris," Fiona muttered.
"I don't know if Chris is in the area, but Marin should still be around somewhere. She could talk to Deaton or the others for us," Leonard stated.
"I'll talk with her," Kaia replied.
"Maybe you shouldn't go alone, just in case," Leonard suggested. "If she doesn't remember us, she might try to trap or poison you."
"If a Hellhound can burn through a building of mountain ash, I think I can burn through a circle of it," Kaia stated.
"Maybe, either way, none of us are human and can break the line if she does. But, if you need anything let us know, we'll come to help," Charlie told her.
"We can try to find out if Chris is in the area," Leonard said. "We'll take the day to search the area for information then track down the others tonight."
Fiona stared at them as the pack nodded and moved towards the door. "What's wrong?" Charlie asked, coming back to her.
"It just feels wrong to do this without Steve."
"We've been able to do our own thing in the past. We'll be fine, let him process what's happening, we don't need him right now," Charlie assured her before the two walked out the door.
Steve clenched his fist as he heard the others leave. "Charlie's telling the others they don't need you, he's making his move to take your spot as the alpha. Suggesting they work with Chris, lead you back to those who want to kill us," Blake stated in his head.
"I won't let him do that," Steve stated, moving to the door.
"We won't let him," Blake corrected, causing Steve to pause. "We just have to wait until the right time. Then we'll act."
Steve glared at the door handle he was holding before huffing and returning to his bed.
T hunder cracked as the storm brewed overhead. Charlie peered around the tree, watching Liam and Scott practice lacrosse together.
"It might be better to talk to Marin once she's outside of the supernatural fortress," Charlie suggested.
"There's a lot of people at Eichen House," Kaia responded.
"Yeah, and almost all of them are terrible," Jay stated.
"Just be careful," Leonard warned.
"I'll let you know if I need help," the kitsune replied.
"I've got Liam with me," Charlie told the others.
"Leonard and I are going to talk to Mason and Corey first. They seem less dangerous," Zach replied.
"Not a bad idea," Charlie thought before he felt a chill run up his spine.
"Did you feel that?" he heard Scott ask looking back to where Charlie was hiding.
"Feel what?" Liam asked.
"Thought I heard something," Scott said, shaking his head before turning back to his beta. "Forget it. Alright, let's keep going."
"Or we could call it," Liam suggested.
"We gotta work on your back shots."
"Why?"
"Liam, they suck."
"What're you talking about?"
"Your back shots, which suck."
Charlie heard Liam's teeth grind before he scooped up one of the balls. The beta flicked the stick behind his back, sending the ball past Scott and into the net. "We've got holes and contradictions," Charlie thought to the others before Liam scored another handful of goals the same way.
"I must have been thinking of someone else," Scott muttered.
"Yeah. Maybe someone else who should be captain?"
"We'll make it," Scott said before the lights turned off on the field.
"Well, guess we have to go now."
"No, we don't," Scott said turning to the beta. Charlie saw Liam's golden eyes glow in the darkness as the two continued to play.
"Okay, now we stir in the iron filings," Leonard and Zach heard Mason say while they stood outside the science lab.
"How is this supposed to work?" Corey asked.
"The ferromagnetic properties are gonna interact with—" Mason started before chair started to move. "Don't worry, it works," Mason chuckled. "Just make sure that all the iron oxide is completely absorbed."
"How come you're here if you already know this?" Corey asked
"Know it? He's practically teaching it," one of the other student scoffed.
"Well, this is my favorite physics lab."
"We're all here for the extra credit," Corey said. "I mean, don't you have, like, a four point something?"
"Four point nine," Mason said, casually.
"That's better than yours," Zach joked.
"I've been here one semester," Leonard replied.
"I didn't even know it went that high," Corey sighed. "I'm stuck at a 2.7."
"Hey, look, you work two jobs, and dying didn't exactly help you GPA," Mason whispered. "So, I don't know, all you need is just a little help."
"You're doing this for me."
"Are you mad?"
"Furious," Corey commented.
"Okay, there you go," Mason said after a pause.
Leonard heard the two of them laughing. "It worked," Corey stated before their laughter stopped and the werelion heard metal scrapping against the table. "Uh, is it supposed to be that strong?"
Leonard felt the locks slam against the lockers as more metal scratched along the table. "We need to get in there," Leonard thought, moving to the door.
"No, we wait for them to be alone," Zach replied, holding the werelion back. "They might have just added to much iron oxide."
"Iron oxide shavings aren't that powerful," Leonard protested, trying to pull himself away from the chimera.
The two froze and looked up when they heard running down the halls and spotted Coach. "No fighting at school after hours!" he shouted as he ran toward them.
"But we—" Leonard started as he and Zach let go of each other.
"I saw you two with my—" Coach started, before he saw the students in the physics lab. "What the hell?" he muttered before walking through the door, pulling the other two with him. "What the hell are you guys doing?" he shouted.
"Physics. Extra credit." Corey blurted out before spotting Leonard and Zach standing sheepishly in the doorway. He and Mason narrowed their eyes at them before Coach started talking again.
"Extra credit? At nine o'clock at night? Come on, guys. Get the hell out of here. Go have lives!" The group stared at Coach for moment. "Let's go!" he added, gesturing for them to get up and follow him. The students started to pack up their bags and headed out the door. "Your teenage years are not the time for academic achievement," he explained as he escorted them out of building.
"Yes, they are," Mason protested.
"That's a lie sold to you by the government. Blow off some steam somewhere else," Coach said, looking at Zach and Leonard before turning to the others. "Go find some girls, get into trouble. Live a little."
"We're gay," Corey told him as they walked away from the rest of the students. Leonard and Zach followed behind.
"Even better. Go gays!" he cheered. "Now get out of my face," he added shoving the two out the door. "I don't get paid to lock up after you losers."
"Yes, you do," Mason replied Coach threw Zach and Leonard out the door after them
"Get out of here, go wreak some havoc like the other kids," Coach said closing the doors behind him.
"Works better this way," Leonard shrugged looking at the other two.
"I'm calling Scott," Mason stated, reaching for my pocket before grimacing and turning to Corey. "I think I left my phone upstairs."
"I'll come with," Leonard said, following Mason as the boy headed back into the school..
"I don't think that's a good idea," Mason replied, turning towards the werelion.
"We can go quick before Coach catches us or we could argue," Leonard suggested. Mason sighed and jogged up the stairs while Leonard continued to follow. "Espionage is much more exciting than a fight," Leonard reminded him.
"So, you want to spy on us now? Is that why you two were out in the hall?"
"No, well sorta, we just wanted to get you two alone," Leonard stammered causing Mason to scoff. "Remember, my first day?"
"No."
"No? Liam was going to pick a fight with Theo and I said that spying is more fun. You and Corey got together—"
"Corey and I didn't get together because of you," Mason stated, turning to the werelion.
"I stopped Lucas from interrupting the two of you," Leonard reminded him.
"You wouldn't have had to if your alpha didn't bring him back to life in the first place."
"So, you remember me being there?"
"What? No? I—I guess you were. Why does it matter?" Mason stammered.
"'Cause the Ghost Riders affected your memory of last semester, there's gaps or things that don't add up. You just have to remember."
"What are you talking about?" Mason asked.
"Go back to that day, you and Corey worked on a project in Biology together."
"Yeah?"
"He was supposed to be paired with someone else."
"A girl she moved," Mason said, stopping outside the classroom.
"She just got up and moved for you, on her own?"
"No," he stated shaking his head. "She slid away, somehow."
"Like someone pulled her away?"
"Yeah?" Mason sighed, looking up to Leonard before shaking his head again. "But Steve killed Donovan, and then fought Scott who warned him to leave town, and then you guys showed up, and there—"
"Was what?"
"We were supposed to stay away from you guys after what Steve did."
"But Steve didn't kill Donovan, Theo lied."
"If Steve didn't kill Donovan then who did?"
They heard Mason's phone vibrate and moved into the classroom to get it. "They're here, don't move," Mason read, looking up to the werelion.
"Corey and Zach are in trouble then," Leonard said. "We have to go."
"He'll be fine," Zach stated as Corey watched the two run up the stairs. "Leonard doesn't even like to fight."
"Yeah, didn't stop the two of you from joining a killer."
"You joined with Theo originally."
"Yeah, but I left 'cause I didn't want to hurt anyone."
"I haven't hurt anyone," Zach said, causing Corey to look at him.
"But you stayed with a killer.
"Yeah, he brought me back to life," Zach stated before leaves started to bounce past the awning.
"So did—" Corey started before they noticed a pile of leaves bounce through under the awning. "I didn't feel a breeze," Corey muttered as the two watched the leaves roll away.
Corey pulled out his phone and started to call Mason. "He won't get it until he finds his phone. We have to go after them," Zach stated.
Corey nodded, shooting Mason a text instead as they walked back into the school. "Mason?" Corey called out as they stepped into the hall.
The doors at the other end of the hall burst open and leaves flew into the hallway. Zach turned when he heard the clock stop ticking before the hands started to move in all directions and out of sync. They heard metal clang down the hall as something approached from the opened doors.
"Corey, wait," Zach hissed before the other chimera pressed himself against a wall and disappeared. Zach moved to the side of the hall and waited for the metal clanging to pass.
"They saw me," Corey gasped, pulling himself off the wall and looking to Zach.
"They saw you? How?"
"I don't know, but they looked right at me," he panted, pulling out his phone.
"Wait, you saw them?" Zach asked.
Corey nodded. "We have to find out what they're doing." Corey ran off as Zach opened his mouth to protests. Zach sprinted after him, sprouting his wings as they ran out the door they just came out of. Corey opened the door to the library as he disappeared again. Zach paused at the door when he saw someone suspended between the two balconies.
Mason and Leonard ran down the stairs and back outside. They looked around for Zach and Corey before heading into the library. The two froze when they saw one of the students from the physics lab floating in midair, clutching his throat.
Corey appeared and grabbed Mason before disappearing again. Zach ran out, shielding Leonard with his wings, before pulling the werelion behind one of the shelves where they watched the hanging student disappear. The door blew open and leaves flew into the library before slamming shut a second later.
C harlie heard the ball bounce on the grass as Liam dropped his stick. "What's wrong?" Scott asked.
"Something's happening to Mason," Liam replied before running off. Scott followed after him, passing by Charlie, before the beta followed after them.
Scott stopped while Liam continued on. Charlie slid to a stop and tried to move behind a tree before Scott turned and saw him. The alpha ran towards Charlie and slammed the beta into the tree. "If your pack is trying to hurt them—," Scott growled.
"We're not, it's the Ghost Riders," Charlie grunted.
"They left with the storm," Scott replied.
"Have you not noticed the thunder and lightning out here tonight?"
Scott narrowed his eyes at the beta. "Your pack's symbol is a lightning bolt. You're working with the Ghost Riders?"
"No, our symbol represents Jupiter's lightning bolt. Roman mythology. The Wild Hunt is Norse," Charlie grunted. "We had someone taken too."
"And what, you want our help now?"
"We can help each other."
"Not gonna happen," Scott scoffed.
"You know Steve didn't kill Donovan, Theo lied!" Charlie shouted.
"Yeah, then who did?"
"Someone from your pack—"
"You're trying to blame us for that?" Scott growled. "Then who did it?"
"It's complicated, it was an accident—"
"I'll repeat my warning only one," Scott growled, throwing Charlie to the ground. "Leave Beacon Hills."
Zach saw Corey and Mason reappear. "What the hell just happened?" Zach asked.
"They took him," Mason breathed.
"The Ghost Riders?" Leonard asked. Corey nodded before they heard footsteps approaching. The four ducked behind the shelves as the doors flung open. Mason and Corey jumped out to attack with a fire extinguisher and a chair before realizing it was Liam.
"They were here, the Ghost Riders," Mason panted.
Liam turned to Leonard and Zach when he caught their scent. He growled as he shifted, moving toward them.
"Woah, woah, woah." Corey said, trying to calm Liam. "They helped us."
"They were here with us when the Ghost Riders were right up there," Mason stated pointing to the second floor of the library.
"What happened?" Liam asked, not turning away from Leonard and Zach.
"We didn't see when they came in. We only saw them when we turned invisible," Mason explained.
"You brought him into this?" Liam growled turning towards Corey.
"Liam, calm down," Leonard said as he stepped forward. The werelion stopped when Liam glared back at him.
"He was trying to protect me," Mason explained, moving in between Liam and Corey. "They were trying to protect us too."
"The Ghost Riders didn't seem to care about us," Corey added. "They walked right by us."
"They walked right by you?"
"Yeah," Mason sighed. "They just jumped down and left."
"That's it, they didn't take anyone?" Liam asked.
"No," Mason replied.
"It was just the four of us," Corey stammered.
"No, we saw someone," Zach stated, causing Liam to whip back around to them. The beta tried to moved towards them, but Mason and Corey held him back.
"Go," Mason said. Zach nodded grabbing Leonard before flying out the door and into the sky.
"Not the worst first night," Leonard thought.
"Speak for yourselves," Charlie groaned.
"At least Scott's still against killing," Zach commented.
"Marin," Kaia called out as the woman left Eichen House. The druid turned and stared at Kaia. "Do you remember us?"
"I remember running into your pack a few times," she replied hesitantly.
"But nothing since we came to Beacon hills last fall?" Marin shook her head, watching the kitsune carefully. "Can we talk?"
Marin paused for a few moments, observing Kaia. "You came alone, and unarmed," she started. "We can talk," she finished after a pause.
"What do you remember about us?"
"You were unhappy with me, to put it lightly."
Kaia's eyes narrowed as she tried to think. "Did Fiona come here last fall?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"Then what do you remember happening from the night Lydia escaped here?"
"I was at home that night, I remember hearing about Valak's death and Lydia escaping with Scott and the others."
"But we were here and so were you. You helped August, saved our pack's lives."
"I don't know who August is," Marin replied, shaking her head.
"No, you do," Kaia explained. "You just forgot. The Ghost Riders—"
"Ghost Riders?" Marin asked, cutting off Kaia.
"Yes, from the Wild Hunt. They're here, in Beacon Hills. They took August and Stiles and took everyone's memories of them."
Marin paused for a moment. "I don't know who those two people are, but I should?" Kaia nodded in response. "I need you to tell me everything that happened, everything that happened when they weren't taken," Marin said, leading Kaia back inside.
Jay ran to Malia's house, stopping once he reached the front door. He listened for a moment to see if she was home and heard her moaning softly.
"That was—uh—wow," a guy panted from the second floor.
Jay growled softly, spots forming on his face and body before he ran back home. "Malia's a no go," he thought to the others.
"Kaia's on her way back," Leonard told the others once everyone else had returned home.
"So, Liam and Scott want us gone," Zach said.
"Mason and Corey don't hate us though," Charlie sighed.
"I went looking for Chris didn't find anything," Jay told the others.
"Tried talking to Steve, but he just wants to be alone right now," Fiona sighed, shaking her head. "I think we've done enough for tonight," she muttered, turning to Charlie. "I'm just ready for bed."
Charlie nodded and the two moved upstairs. The beta sat awake after Fiona fell asleep, listening for Kaia to return home and the others to go to bed. Once Leonard and Kaia finally made their way up the stairs he sighed and curled up next to Fiona.
The banshee shot up, screaming as a train's horn roared in her head. She felt the room shake and lights flash against the wall until everything fell silent again. "What's wrong?" Charlie asked as she tried to control her breathing.
"I think it's a premonition. Or something. There was a train. Like it was going through the room," she panted.
"Train doesn't seem to fit with Ghost Riders," Charlie said.
"No, it doesn't," she sighed.
"Something you could ask Lydia about tomorrow?"
"If I can get here alone."
"We'll make sure you get the chance," Charlie muttered as they laid back down and fell asleep.
Steve's red eyes flashed as he walked past their door before the alpha returned to his room.
"Still no Steve?" Zach asked, landing on the ground as the pack headed toward the school. Charlie shook his head in response.
"It took him three days of sulking to recover from a break up. It will probably take much longer to recover from August disappearing right in front of him," Jay replied once the others caught up to him.
"It's okay, we can give him the time he needs. We're going try to reach out to the others again today, but Fiona needs to get Lydia alone," Charlie reminded the others.
"Right," Leonard replied. "I was close with Mason and Corey, I think. I don't think they remember, but they know we aren't here to hurt them. And they saw the Ghost Riders, so we have to protect them."
Kaia nodded. "Marin doesn't remember August or Stiles either, but she knows about the Wild Hunt and is at least entertaining the possibility of last semester's events," the kitsune added.
"If she didn't remember should we still try to find Chris?" Charlie asked. "If he doesn't remember reconciling with us, then he might attack."
"Even if he didn't reconcile with us, he still follows Allision's code. That fact shouldn't have changed," Leonard reminded him.
"Would she have come up with her code? Chris said she got the idea from working with us, when August brought her along," Fiona stated.
"We'll find out, I guess," Jay sighed as they reached the school.
The pack headed inside. The halls were mostly empty since it was still early. They split up and prepared for their classes. "Find them and keep them away from each other if possible," Charlie thought to the group.
After a bit, Fiona spotted Lydia walking into the school. Lydia walked over to a set of lockers, leaning against them and searching the crowd. "That's Stiles's locker," Jay told her.
Fiona nodded before approaching the other banshee, leaning next to her on the locker. "Waiting for someone?"
"No," Lydia whispered, pushing off the locker and rushing away.
"Lydia, wait," Fiona said, moving after her.
"We shouldn't be talking."
"No, we need to talk. I had a premonition last night that I don't understand," Fiona started, but Lydia continued to walk away. "There was a train." Lydia stopped in her tracks as the bell rang. "It was like it ran through my room, but it doesn't make any sense. The Ghost Riders ride horses, not trains."
Lydia turned around and stared at Fiona for a moment. "I don't know," she muttered. "I have to get to class," she added before walking away.
"Maybe she didn't have the same vision?" Zach suggested.
"No, she did. She's just as confused as I am."
"We'll work through it tonight, see if we can't figure it out and help Lydia figure it out too," Charlie said.
"This just seems like a violent sport," Charlie whispered to Jay as they watched one of the players tackle another.
"I don't know, I think I might be good at it," Jay replied.
"Now, that's what I'm talkin' about! That's how it's done!" Coach shouted after another player was knocked to the ground. "That is captain material," he finished as Charlie and Jay saw Liam run onto the field.
"You're late," Scott and Coach said at the same time. "Which makes you not captain material," Coach added.
"Liam is captain material. He's just—" Scott started before the Coach blew the whistle in his face.
"Let's go, gather around listen up," Coach said, calling the players into a huddle.
"I thought you were supposed to be focusing on Malia?" Charlie asked.
"She's apparently moved on from me. I'm going to let Kaia give it a try. I'll go after Liam instead," Jay replied.
Charlie saw the alpha turn towards them before the huddle ended and the players moved into position. "Maybe I should swap with someone," the beta muttered.
"Until Steve is back in action, you're the only one who'd be able to stand up to Scott."
"Pretty sure Liam is more dangerous."
"You're making my job sound like more fun," Jay chuckled.
"Alright, all you wannabe captains. I wanna see you guys tear each other apart!" Coach shouted. Charlie noticed that Scott was still staring at him and Jay.
"See, I could probably do better than that," Jay commented as Liam slammed into the ground.
"Definitely not captain material there, Dumb-bar," Coach commented.
"Dunbar," Liam grunted.
"Yeah, that's what I said."
Charlie rose as Liam turned to the Coach. "He's losing control," he muttered.
"You said Dumb-bar," Liam spat.
"And your mouth just bought you equipment duty," Coach said before Liam tore off his helmet and ran to the sidelines, gathering equipment on the way. Charlie nodded towards the werecheetah and Jay ran towards him. Charlie and Scott locked eyes again before Scott returned his attention to the field.
"Move three inches to the right," Leonard thought to Zach, looking at the chimera on the other side of the library's second floor.
Zach shuffled over, turning back as a group of students giggled behind him. "People are going to think we're weird. How is figuring out the exact position going to help us?"
"I'm more concerned with trying to figure out how they took Jake. He looked like he was choking before he disappeared—."
"So, some sort of rope?" Zach thought miming himself pulling a rope before hearing the giggles behind him.
"But why did pulling on a rope make him disappear?"
"Don't you have class?" they heard Mason ask from the floor below.
"Don't you?" Corey responded before they were shushed by a student.
"We could ask the ones who actually saw the Ghost Riders," Zach suggested.
"I can't stop thinking about last night," Mason said.
"Me either," Corey said before being shushed again by another student. Leonard nodded to Zach and the two moved for the stairs.
"I've read everything about the Wild Hunt. Y'know, how they come in by storm, collecting souls, riding lightning. But I just don't know why they were here. Y'know, they're Ghost Riders, what are they doing in a high school library? What're you doing here?" Mason asked as Leonard and Zach met them at the base of the stairs.
"Trying to figure out what happened," Leonard said before a student shushed him. "I'm not even that anal," he thought, causing Zach to chuckle.
"You said you saw someone here?" Mason asked.
"Yeah, but we didn't see the Ghost Riders," Zach replied.
"We only saw them, 'cause of your power," Mason said, turning to Corey. "What if you have some kind of special ability no one knows about?" Corey smirked and shrugged slightly in response.
"What if the Doctors gave you Ghost Rider abilities?" Leonard asked.
Mason turned to the werelion, mouth agape. "What did you see?" Zach asked before either of them could respond.
"The Ghost Riders were up there, it looked like they were holding something. But, if I have their abilities why can't I remember what happened?"
"They weren't holding something," Leonard stated. "They were holding someone."
"Who?" Mason asked
"Jake," Zach replied.
"Who?" Corey asked.
"I could help you pack this up faster," Jay suggested once he reached Liam.
"I can handle it myself," the beta grunted.
"You could use a break, calm down a bit."
"Could I?" Liam asked, turning to the werecheetah with glowing yellow eyes.
"Yeah, 'cause your about to shift in front of everyone," Jay whispered.
"Then, I'll tear you apart," Liam growled.
Jay flashed his amber eyes at the beta before both their eyes returned to normal. "Just let me help you," Jay whispered. Liam scoffed, turning to pick up one of the sticks. Jay grabbed it before Liam could and shoved it into the bag. "I'm fast."
"Yeah, and witty," Liam grunted, turning around to grab a pair of gloves before turning back to Jay, confused. Jay smirked at the beta before the two returned to gathering the gear.
Coach blew his whistle to signal the end of practice and the remaining players dumped their equipment on the sidelines as Scott turned to talk with Coach. Jay and Liam gathered the rest of the equipment and headed towards the locker room as the last of the players walked out.
They set the bags down next to Coach's door. "What're you doing here?" Scott asked, causing the two of them to turn.
"Helping," Jay shrugged, before heading for the door
Liam sighed. "I blew it didn't I?"
"You blew it off," Scott corrected. "You'd have to be trying in order to blow it," Scott continued as Jay exited the room.
"Maybe someone else can be captain," Jay heard Liam sigh behind the closed door. The werecheetah rested against the wall next to the door. "With school work, and all the other stuff we have to deal with—"
"Devenford Prep started practice three weeks before us. Riverside two weeks. We're behind before we even start. Half our team can't even cradle the ball, let alone score," Scott sighed before pausing.
"Why can't you stay captain?"
"I'm graduating. Y'know, I'm not gonna be here next year. Someone's gotta step up and fill in the gap. It should be you."
"Yeah? Well Coach doesn't want me," Liam replied, his voice breaking slightly. "I don't know if the team wants me," he added, raising his voice.
"It's not up to them. It's up to you," Scott replied raising his voice slightly as well. "You have to want this. Because they're gonna keep comin' at you. They're gonna keep knocking you down. And you have to get back up. You have to show 'em that you can get back up. Leaders don't run."
Jay nodded as Scott finished before he heard clapping from inside the locker room. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about McCall," Coach stated. "That's exactly the intensity this team needs. And you, I'm looking forward to crushing that little adorable baby face of yours," he added before slamming his door.
"Are you just going to stand there?" Charlie asked. Jay looked down the hall and spotted the beta peaking around the corner.
"It was a good speech," Jay replied, moving away from the locker room door.
Kaia walked into class behind Fiona. The kitsune sat next to Malia, looking over as the werecoyote covered the text in highlighter. "Styles is in red," she thought as the banshee sat on the other side of her.
"Maybe she's remembering," Fiona thought, looking to Lydia, who sat behind Malia. "Stiles's desk is empty, but she doesn't notice," Fiona sighed.
"I'm impressed. With most of you," Ms. Fleming commented as she handed back tests. "It really speaks to your study habits and your commitment to your own education. Everyone else, see me for extra help," she added, placing Malia's test on her desk.
Kaia noticed the werecoyote grip her desk with clawed hands as she turned, glaring at the Ms. Fleming. "Ms. Fleming—" Lydia started.
"I already told you, Lydia, I don't give extra credit for alternate equations based on your own theoretical findings."
"Well, okay then," Lydia muttered as Ms. Fleming moved on. "Malia. Claws," she whispered, leaning forward. "Claws, Malia."
Kaia looked over and noticed Malia's claws had disappeared. "She can't control her animalistic urges," Jay commented.
"Not really the time for a sex joke," Kaia replied.
"Not a sex joke. She's becoming feral."
Fiona looked over to Kaia. "Watch her carefully, we don't need her to attack someone," Fiona thought.
Charlie dipped back around the corner as Scott stopped in the middle of the hall. The beta watched as Scott walked towards a locker, touching it, before moving on. Charlie moved down the hall as the alpha walked away. "Locker 1075?"
"Stiles's," Leonard thought back. "I think I have another theory."
"Care to share?" Charlie asked.
"Want more information first, keep following him."
Charlie sighed and moved down the hall after Scott.
Fiona felt a chill down her spine and turned around. She saw a woman, wearing a lab coat and stethoscope sitting in Stiles's desk. The banshee noticed Lydia was looking at her too. "Excuse me who are you?" Lydia whispered. Fiona tilted her head when the woman didn't respond. "What're you doing in this class?"The woman turned to Lydia, opening her mouth slightly. The sound of a train's horn and its squealing wheels slowly filled the room, causing the room to shake. The two banshees covered their ears as the noise became deafening before it disappeared suddenly.
The two jumped, looking at each other wide-eyed. "That's never happened before has it?" Kaia asked.
"I've only ever heard voices," Fiona replied, not breaking eye contact with Lydia as the two panted.
Leonard, Zach, Mason, and Corey ran to the principal's office. Mason leaned on the front desk and he looked at the absentee list. "You wanna see the absentee list?" Ms. Martin asked, pulling the clip board away from Mason.
"Yes," Mason sighed.
"May I ask why?"
Mason took a moment to find his words before leaning towards her. "Werewolf stuff," he whispered.
She scoffed at them. "I thought I made it clear that Beacon Hills High School is a dedicated safe space," she replied.
"Tell that to everything that traipses through here wreaking havoc," Leonard whispered back.
"I had to convince twenty-three students that why they saw in the library last semester was a large bear and the fangs on Scott McCall were the result of acute Teenage Hallucination Syndrome."
"And we appreciate you making up diseases for us," Zach sighed.
"Teen Psychotic Disorder would have been more accurate," Leonard added.
"Wow," Corey breathed.
Ms. Martin shook her head at the werelion. "We think someone could be missing, and they could be in danger," Mason stated before she could respond.
"Well, I can assure you that nobody has reported a student missing," she stated, flipping through the list. "And all absentees are accounted for. Gentlemen," she said, ushering the four of them away. "I appreciate your concern, and I thank you for your vigilance. Remember, safe space. Now, go back to class."
"We don't have class," Mason said, after she pushed them into the hall.
"Then go back to something. Anything," she said, closing the office door.
"Well, if the school doesn't have anything—," Leonard started.
"Maybe the sheriff does," Mason finished and the four headed out of the school.
"You saw her too?" Lydia asked as Fiona followed her through the halls.
Fiona nodded before looking up. "I see her now," she said, pointing down the hall. The two banshees ran off after the doctor as she stepped outside. They pushed the doors open and stepped outside after. They paused when they noticed it was dark outside.
"You all know me. Oh, thank God. You know me," they heard Stiles's voice say behind them. Lydia spun around searching for the source of the voice. "Do you see him?" they heard as they continued to search for the source.
"We can fight him," they heard August say before hearing a gun fire. "Run!"
Fiona followed as Lydia seemed to be pulled away. "Woah, woah woah," they heard Stiles say before Lydia was pulled a different direction. "They're everywhere," the voice muttered.
"If you see them, they'll take you too," they heard August say.
"You're gonna forget me," Stiles's voice said.
"I won't. I won't," Lydia sobbed before she was pulled away again, Fiona running after her.
"Lydia, look out!" Malia shouted grabbing Lydia as Jay grabbed Fiona. They puled the two banshees out of the way of a car driving through the parking lot as they found themselves back in the daylight.
"What the hell are you doing?" Jay whispered.
"Are you okay?" Malia asked Lydia. "What did you do to her?" Malia asked, turning to Fiona before Lydia could answer.
"I'm fine," Lydia panted. "We saw something."
"You were remembering," Fiona sighed as Jay released her.
"What're you two doing here?" Parrish asked from his desk as Leonard and Zach walked into the sheriff's station with Mason and Corey.
"Didn't think we were outlaws," Zach commented.
"They're helping us with something," Mason said.
"Has anyone one been reported missing?" Corey asked.
"Specifically, high school students," Mason added.
"Not that I'm aware of," he replied, standing and flipping through a file on the desk behind him. He looked up and shook his head before walking away.
"Are you sure no one's unaccounted for?" Corey asked as they followed after him.
"You can reword the question as much as you want. The answer is still no," Parrish said, dismissing them as he opened a filing cabinet and placed the file in the drawer.
"Do you feel anything?" Corey asked.
"Does your Hellhound intuition sense something wrong with the supernatural?" Mason added.
"Other than the fact that you're working with them," he replied, nodding towards Leonard and Zach.
"Anything wrong that can actually help us?" Zach asked.
"I'm a harbinger of death, not a harbinger of kidnapping. I'm also a sheriff's deputy working on an unsolved murder, that for once doesn't involve shape shifters, resurrected eighteenth century killers, or me. It's just a straightforward robbery-homicide."
"'Straightforward?'" Mason asked. "He was bludgeoned to death and stuffed in a high school air duct."
"I've seen a lot of bodies, this one didn't look straightforward," Leonard added.
"I'm sure you have," Parrish commented before turning back to Mason. "I already have your statement. Have a great day, Mason. You too, Corey," he added before walking away from them and walking into the evidence room, closing the door before they could ask any more questions.
"I almost forgot about that guy," Leonard thought as the four of them left the station.
"Want to look into it? I can help these guys out," Zach responded.
"Doubt Melissa would let me into the morgue if that's how Parrish reacted."
"No missing persons, nothing to go on—" Mason muttered as they neared his car.
"I'm not ready to give up just yet," Leonard said. Mason nodded before they got in the car and drove away.
Charlie stopped around the corner as Scott paused at the same locker. He used his phone's flashlight to try and see what was inside before sighing and looking around the hall. Charlie ducked behind the corner when Scott looked his way. The beta looked back as Scott grabbed the lock with both hands.
"Whacha doing?" Mr. Douglas asked, stopping Scott.
"Uh, nothing. Just checking out this locker," Scott replied tugging on the lock lightly.
"Is it yours?"
"Not really," Scott muttered.
Charlie sighed. "I hate August's new crush," he thought to the others before running over to them. "It's mine," the beta said. Scott turned to him, confused.
"Yours?" Mr. Douglas asked.
"Yeah, I couldn't remember my combo earlier. Figured Scott might have remembered it the one time I told him about it, but I guess not."
"I'd suggest going to the office then. They'll be able to get you the combo, if it is your locker," Mr. Douglas stated.
"Good idea," Charlie said, nodding his head. "Don't know why I didn't think about it."
"Might be a good idea for you two to head to class."
The two nodded before heading down the hall. They looked back and saw Mr. Douglas nod at them as he continued to stand in front of the locker. They rounded the corner before Scott pushed Charlie into an empty classroom.
"You going to pin me against the wall again?" Charlie asked as Scott closed the door behind him. "'Cause that schtick is getting kind of old."
"That's not your locker," Scott said, ignoring the beta's comment.
"Not yours either," Charlie spat.
Scott shook his head at Charlie. "Why are you guys still here?"
"Leaders don't run," Charlie told him.
"Just steal other people's words?"
"Scott, we're trying to help."
"Yeah? Then where's Steve? Is he having you guys run around spying on us this time until he decides to make his move?"
"He's trying to recover from losing one of our pack."
"You didn't lose anyone! You're all running around, trying to worm your way into my pack!"
"We're not like Theo," Charlie spat. "You lost someone too! Deep down you know it!"
Scott paused for a moment, his shoulder heaving before he reached into his jacket and pulled out a folded photo. He opened it, staring for a moment before holding it up to the beta. "I remember posing for this picture, but I don't remember you guys being there," Scott muttered.
Charlie looked at the picture of them sitting around the bench in the courtyard. Charlie looked surprised when he noticed the spots August and Stiles were supposed to be at were empty. "It was taken the other day," Charlie replied. "We were trying to figure out who took Alex's parents."
"Who's Alex?"
"He's the reason we were looking into the Wild Hunt, together."
Scott looked at the picture again. "Or it's a misprint, two photos that accidentally overlapped," Scott muttered.
"That's one hell of a coincidence."
"But it explains why you were surprised by it," Scott said before turning towards the door.
"I was surprised—" Charlie started, moving after the alpha
"Just stay away from us!" Scott shouted, cutting the beta off. "And stop following me," he muttered before walking out of the room.
"Back off for now," Leonard thought to the beta. "I'm still working on my theory. That picture helps."
Leonard and Zach rounded the corner and found Jay standing outside the locker room. The werecheetah put his finger to his lips. "Liam's in there. I think I'm making progress, but want to be sure."
"We're supposed to meet Mason and Corey here," Zach replied, moving to the door.
"Just wait a second," Jay thought, holding the chimera back.
"They must have had someone up there. I mean, that's the only logical explanation," they heard Mason say.
"Yeah, how do you know?" Liam asked.
"Logic, Corey has a hunch, Leonard and Zach remember seeing someone up there,"Mason listed.
Liam scoffed. "Corey get that from his chameleon thing? I thought all he could do was disappear. Don't know why you're trusting anyone from Steve's pack either."
"They just want to help," Mason replied.
"One of us is doing a better job," Leonard commented.
"If they wanted to help, then where were they when we were fighting a nine-foot tall werewolf to save you? And why was Corey loyal to Theo for so long?"
"There was a time where we all trusted Theo, including you. And Steve's pack probably didn't know how to handle that kind of threat," Mason replied.
"How convenient he forgot how he stabbed Steve during that fight," Jay scoffed, clenching his fist.
"I'll trust them when they do something trustworthy," Liam stated. "Unlike right now, when I can hear Corey's heart racing from over there. And Steve's pack sitting outside, spying on us," he added raising his voice.
"You're heartbeat witty? Cause it sure is fast," Zach commented before the three of them stepped into the locker room.
Mason rolled his eyes as the three of them joined Corey as he came into view. "What about Hayden? You forgave her no problem," Corey remarked.
"She almost died that night trying to stop Sebastien," Liam told him.
"And we lost Lucas when he died trying to save her," Leonard reminded the beta.
"Huh, I remember him working with Theo for his own gain," Liam replied. Zach's eyes turned white and his talons sprang from his hand as Jay and Leonard held him back.
"That's not what happened," Jay grunted.
"Not sure how you all know, considering how you were all hiding," Liam replied, stepping towards the four.
"What was I supposed to do?" Corey asked before Leonard could start speaking. "You all have claws, fangs, and talons."
"Liam, look, it's not like chameleons are the apex predator of the animal kingdom. All Corey can do is disappear," Mason replied. Corey looked towards Mason as the boy realized what he said.
"Then maybe that's what he should do. And maybe he can take Steve's pack with him," Liam said before walking out of the locker room.
"How is anyone supposed to trust you guys if your sneaking around spying on us?" Mason asked, turning to Leonard, Jay, and Zach.
"Well, it's been made pretty clear that you guys don't want to even try to trust us," Zach huffed before storming out of the locker room.
"I'll stop him from doing something stupid," Jay replied, running after the chimera.
"It's just hard for us to know where we stand as we figure out what you guys remember from last semester," Leonard added with a sigh.
"Yeah, whatever that mean," Mason replied before turning to Corey. "And you, how is Liam supposed to trust you if you're hiding in the walls?
"I already told you. Your friends aren't my friends. Why can't you just accept that?"
"That might work for you, or for Steve's pack, but it doesn't work for me. If we're going to work together," he said before turning to Corey. "If we're going to be together. The others need to trust you."
Leonard nodded before heading out of the locker room, the werelion grit his teeth as he headed for the exit. "For what it's worth, I thought today was going well for all of us," Kaia's voice sound in his head.
"We've kind of hit a wall here," Jay muttered as the pack gathered in the living room. "Lydia and Fiona are sort of connected through their shared visions, but even Fiona is having issues interpreting them."
"And who knows how long that will last," Zach added, crossing his arms.
"We need to try something else," Charlie stated.
"You had a theory?" Charlie asked, turning to Leonard.
"Yeah," Leonard sighed. "The Ghost Riders modified their memories, changing things in the past and leaving out things that couldn't be reconciled—"
"That's the same theory you had last night," Jay commented.
"I know, but I think there's more too it. I think their memories are locked in their subconscious. Like how Lydia waited by Stiles's locker and Scott stopped there."
"So, two of them?" Zach asked.
"It might be all of them," Leonard stated.
"Okay, how do we get them to access the subconscious part of their mind? They aren't exactly going to let us hypnotize them," Fiona said.
"They might access it on their own," Leonard stated.
"How?" Jay asked.
"The subconscious can be accessed by sleeping. When people dream," Leonard explained.
"So, we just hope they remember while they sleep? And then hope they decide to tell us?" Zach asked
"We should be there when they do, we'll watch them each night. If it seems like they remember, we bring it up," Leonard told them.
"So, more spying? Why don't we try a different approach?" Zach asked.
"Well, we could go the more direct approach and get into a fight them," Jay commented.
"Yeah, that's the path we're heading down right now," Zach replied. "Eventually they're going to get tired of it and attack us. Liam wanted to attack me and Leonard in the library. Scott has already attacked Steve and Charlie—" Zach continued, raising his voice.
"We just need to calm down and—" Kaia stated.
"And what?" Zach asked. "Just hope they eventually remember?"
"Zach's right," Fiona sighed. "The Ghost Riders are still here, taking more people. We need to find out another way to work with the Scott's pack so we can bring back everyone they took so far."
"I'm open to other ideas," Leonard sighed.
"We don't even know if we can bring anyone back," Kaia muttered.
"We need an alpha," Charlie admitted. The others nodded in response. "I'll go talk to him." Charlie separated from the others and headed upstairs. He reached for the door handle and found it was locked. "Steve?" he called out, knocking on the door. The beta sighed when there was no response. He stood back and kicked the door open. A pair of red eyes flashed in the dark room before the alpha dove at Charlie.
The two tumbled through the hallway, before Charlie kicked Steve off of him. "What the hell are you doing?" Charlie asked, returning to his feet.
"You want it? Come get it," Steve growled.
"What?" Charlie asked before Steve lunged at him again. "What is wrong with you?" Charlie shouted as he tried to hold back the alpha.
"You want to lead the pack? Try and take it from me," Steve growled, slapping Charlie's hands away before bring his claws down.
The beta moved to cover his face before Steve was thrown off him by Fiona's scream. Charlie turned over and saw the banshee standing at the bottom of the stair, panting, her eyes wide with fear. The beta tried to sit up, but felt a pain in his back before he toppled down the stairs. Leonard caught the beta before he could collide with Fiona. The werelion pushed Charlie back to his feet as Steve rushed down the stairs toward them.
Steve swung for Leonard, but Charlie spun around, grabbing Steve's hand, his eyes shining blue as he fully shifted. "Your protecting him now? I thought that was Jay's job?" Steve growled, glaring at the beta.
"What is going on?" Fiona whispered, staring at the two werewolves as they glared at each other.
Leonard jumped back as Steve knocked Charlie aside, he walked towards the beta, bringing back his arm to strike. Kaia grabbed the alpha's wrist and Steve hissed as smoke floated away from his skin. His eyes returned to normal as he grabbed his blistering skin. "Pain makes you human," Leonard muttered, nodding towards Kaia.
"I'm not trying to take the pack from you. I'm not trying to be the alpha!" Charlie shouted as he got to his feet. "We're trying to save August!"
Steve looked up at the beta, confused. "He doesn't remember," Jay muttered.
"He blocked off the connection when August disappeared, so he must've forgot," Zach added.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Steve muttered.
"Open the connection and we'll show you," Charlie stated, calming down slightly. Steve shook his head, glaring at the beta. "Fine, I'll open it for you," Charlie spat, stepping towards the alpha and jabbing his claws into the back of his neck.
Black tendrils moved up Charlie's arm as Steve closed his eyes, the burn on his arm healing. "They're lying to you," Blake whispered in Steve's mind. The alpha's eyes snapped open, glowing red before he reached back and removed Charlie's claws. Steve punched the beta in his chest, knocking him back to the ground.
"Something's blocking the connection. It's like I couldn't get deep enough," Charlie groaned as Kaia, Jay, and Leonard tried to hold back the alpha.
"Then I'll try," Zach said, flicking out his talons and walking toward Steve. The other three spun the alpha around and Zach shoved his talons into the back of his neck.
Blurry visions quickly flashed in Steve's mind. He saw August and Stiles briefly as they explained the plan to break into Eichen. Steve saw the hunter shoot the Beast with a shotgun in the library before the scene changed to August arguing with Tiberius for a moment and then black as Zach removed his claws.
"It's fake," he heard Blake say. "They're trying to trick you."
"But it seemed real," Steve thought before shaking his head. "I can work with them, figure out what they're planning."
"Don't let them fool you," Blake's voice sounded before Steve opened his eyes and saw the rest of the pack staring at him.
"I remember now," Steve whispered. "Sorry," he added, looking to Charlie.
"At this point, I'm getting used to be attacked by an alpha," Charlie replied, massaging his arm.
"It's getting late," Jay mentioned as they released Steve. "What's the plan?"
"Let's see if they remember tonight," Leonard said.
"You coming with?" Charlie asked, looking to Steve. The alpha nodded.
"You guys have fun with that," Zach stated. "I'll try out my own idea," he said before running out the door and flying away.
"He's angry about what Liam said about Lucas," Jay stated. "I'll follow him," he added before running out after him.
Leonard sighed after the two left, shaking his head. "Leonard and I will watch Malia then," Kaia said, rubbing the werelion's shoulder.
"I'll stay with Lydia," Fiona added.
"Which leaves you and me with Scott," Charlie said, looking to Steve. The alpha nodded before the five exited the house.
"What made you think I would want to take your place?" Charlie asked, turning to Steve as the two werewolves sat on the curb opposite Scott's house.
"You said you didn't need me," Steve replied, not looking away from the house.
"Yeah, 'cause I was going to give you time to recover from losing August," Charlie replied. Steve shrugged in response. "Not a big fan of Leonard with August gone?"
"It's just weird that the Senate members kids are in the pack now."
"Now?" Charlie asked, narrowing his eyes on the alpha.
"Huh?"
"You remember everything?"
"Yeah, definitely."
"Who was the first person you let in the pack?"
"You, obviously."
"And then?" Charlie asked before Scott jumped out of his bedroom window and started walking down the road.
"He didn't see us, should we stop him?" Steve asked, moving towards the other alpha.
"He's sleepwalking," Charlie stated, holding back Steve. "Leonard must have been right. Let's keep our distance."
"You're reading too much into this," Fiona thought. Leonard and Kaia sighed as they sat in their car outside Malia's house.
"The link is still closed off," Charlie replied.
"Maybe it's like last time and he can't open it on his own."
"I don't think he actually remembers August. And if he's lying about that then what else could he be lying about? Who knows who he would be without August."
"You have a theory?"
"I have a theory of my own," Kaia said, turning to Leonard and interrupting the other's argument.
"About Steve?" Leonard asked.
"No, about the memories. It's like they don't want to remember. They don't accept anything we've told them. They didn't remember Jake when you told them about him disappearing. Scott tried to come up with another reason for the picture existing, despite it making no sense."
Leonard paused for a moment thinking over the idea. "Steve attacked Jackson and Ethan when the two came to us for help, based on what Ethan did in the past. Maybe Scott is just acting the same way."
"But what if Charlie's right about Steve? Something must be stopping them from remembering."
"Steve's probably confused. He would have two sets of memories floating around in his head."
"And would he favor the ones he thinks he made, or the ones forced upon him by Zach?" Kaia asked before noticing the porch light turning on. "She's moving," she whispered as they watched Malia walk out of her house, carrying a bag.
"Sleep walking?" Charlie asked.
"No, she's definitely awake. She's moving with a purpose," Leonard replied. "I'll follow on foot. She's not running so I should be able to keep up," Leonard whispered to Kaia before stepping out of the car.
"Is she heading for the preserve?" Fiona heard Charlie ask while she sat in her car.
"No, the school," Leonard responded. Fiona sighed as she turned off the radio. She sat in silence for a while before Leonard's voice filled her head again. "I heard chains. She's in the school now though, if I follow now, she'll hear me."
Fiona sat up when she saw Lydia walking out, her phone to her ear. "Could use some supernatural hearing right now," she thought to the others.
"You got it," Leonard replied as Lydia's voice started to reach the banshee's ears.
"Why can't you just say why you need me to come to the school?" Lydia huffed opening her car door and pausing. "Fine. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"She'll notice you following her," Leonard stated.
"Not if I beat her," Fiona replied, doing a U turn before flipping on her headlights.
"You'll need more than hearing for that," Charlie told her.
"Well?"
Leonard let Fiona and Kaia into the school after they parked in the back lot. "Cutting it close," Leonard whispered when he heard Lydia's car pull in up front.
"I think I did pretty well," Fiona whispered back as they moved toward the basement doors. Leonard rolled his eyes before leading them into a class room near the stairs.
"I rigged the door while I waited so it'll stay cracked. We'll be able to hear them better."
They heard Lydia's heels click as she moved down the hall to the basement door before fading into the basement. The three left the class room and Leonard sat next to the door.
"Hello?" he heard Lydia call out.
"Over here," Malia replied, chains clicking.
"Has it really come to this?"
"Can you give me a hand?"
"If this is a new after-school club—uh—count me out," Lydia commented.
"I've got a problem. I'm growling at people in class. I'm clawing at my desk. I tried turning the floor of my bedroom into a coyote den," Malia admitted. "Do these look familiar to you?"
"No, why would it?" Lydia asked.
"She's going feral, like Jay said," Fiona thought before Leonard put his finger to his lips and shook his head.
"Malia, do you really think this is going to keep you safe?"
"They used to. Before the lake house, this is where I'd come for the full moon. But you weren't down here with me. Scott wasn't down here."
"Right, so?"
"Who was?" Malia asked before the chains started to rattle again.
"You couldn't have done it alone," Lydia sighed. Leonard heard a phone buzz, causing Lydia to stop. "It's Scott."
"Move," Leonard warned, ushering the girls to the classroom as he heard the two run up the stairs. He sighed as he heard them walk out of the school. "I'll check out the basement. You two follow them. I'll catch up."
The werelion moved to the basement as the other two ran back to their cars. He walked around the shelves until he found a pair in the back corner with chains and shackles wrapped around them. Leonard put his hand in one of them, holding it shut while he tried to reach for the lock on his other wrist.
"There a purpose to this?" Charlie asked as the werelion continued his attempt.
"I need to make sure there is no possible way for Malia to doubt someone had to help her."
"And?"
Leonard searched around him before stopping at his feet. "It's possible," he sighed, pulling his wrist from the shackle. He grabbed it and the lock and kicked the lock closed before dropping the chains and walking away.
"I went to bed at home, and I woke up out in the woods about a mile out," Charlie heard Scott explain as Lydia and Malia met him at the preserve. "I think there's a reason why this has happened. I've been out here before. It was the beginning of sophomore year the night before tryouts for first line. I remember because it was all I could think about," Scott continued, leading the others into the woods.
"You made it," Charlie thought as Fiona and Kaia joined him and Steve. The four of them crept along after the three.
"What were you doing?" Malia asked.
"I was looking for a dead body."
"That's morbid," Lydia commented.
"So then, what was I doing out here all alone?"
"I wish I could help you, but I didn't know you then," Lydia sighed.
"I was still a coyote, so I might've tried to eat it."
"Deaton said that my subconscious is trying to tell me something. But I need you guys to help me figure out what it's saying," Scott stated.
"Now's our chance," Fiona thought.
"Wait for me," Leonard said.
"Lydia didn't know Scott back then," Charlie started, turning to Fiona.
"Not everyone grows up like we did," Kaia replied.
"Zach didn't know Steve or any of us before coming here," the beta finished.
"So?" Fiona asked. Charlie shook his head before focusing on Scott and the others.
"Maybe you were just a curious teenager. You heard there was a body—" Lydia started.
"But how? I never watched the news, and I didn't have a police scanner."
"Your mom works at the hospital," Malia reminded him. "Maybe she got called in and you overheard her."
"My mom wasn't home that night," Scott replied as the trio stopped. "I live five miles away from here. How did I get here?"
"You drove," Malia said.
"I didn't have a car."
"You ran," Malia replied.
"I couldn't have. I had asthma," he said before walking off again. "I was hiding, but they knew that I was here."
"Maybe you made a ton of noise with your asthmatic breathing," Malia suggested.
"They're still trying to find a reason," Leonard commented.
"Wouldn't you?" Kaia asked. "Where are you?"
"Almost there."
"How would they know that it was me?" Scott asked, stopping the group again. "Why would the sheriff even think that I would be out here?"
"Because like most deaths in this town, it was related to the supernatural," Lydia told him.
"I wasn't supernatural. I mean, this was the night that I was bitten. I wasn't a werewolf yet. And I wasn't out here alone."
"The arguing is getting old," Zach stated as he and Jay waited outside the school.
"You can tune it out," Jay reminded him. "What're we doing here anyway?"
"Not stalking Scott's pack," he replied as Corey walked up to them.
"I don't know if this is a good idea," Corey whispered.
"We both need to gain their trust. Liam said we needed to do something trustworthy. We have two different pieces of what happened last night. We just have to figure out how to put them together and Liam could help with that," Zach explained. Corey nodded in response. "You wanted to talk to him first though, so we'll let the two of you talk."
Zach grabbed Jay and flew to the roof just before Liam walked outside. The pair watched as Corey started walking to Liam. "I just wanted to tell you that I was wrong," Corey stammered. "I thought we could hate each other and it wouldn't matter. But it does matter. It matters to Mason, and he matters to both of us."
"Look, I'm not trying to come between you."
"And neither am I. But if we keep up like this, he might feel like he has to choose."
"You want me to just act like nothing happened?"
"We could work together. Maybe we could find something together."
"That's our cue," Zach stated, grabbing the werecheetah and flying back towards the ground.
"Yeah, like what?" Liam asked before spotting Zach and Jay. "You're bringing them into this?"
"Corey saw the Ghost Riders. Leonard and I saw Jake," Zach stated.
"We could figure out what happened last night. Maybe find a trace of them," Corey added.
"There's a lot I'd have to pretend didn't happen," Liam said, grinding his teeth.
"Don't pretend," Jay told him. "Look, I'm not sure what happen last semester. At least not the way you guys remember it. But I do know we worked together before."
Liam shook his head. "At least give us a chance to show you that we're telling the truth," Zach added.
Liam looked at the two before turning to Corey. "Fine," he muttered.
"You want to do this?" Corey said extending his hand to Liam and Zach. "Hold my hand."
The two grabbed the chimera's hand before disappearing. "Didn't plan on you coming," Zach thought to Jay.
"Share what you see and I'll check things out," the werecheetah replied, walking into the library as the doors opened and closed on their own in front of him.
Jay closed his eyes, seeing what Zach saw as the three of them looked around the library. "Do you even know what we're looking for?" Liam huffed.
"If it's a book we'll be here a while," Corey replied.
Liam scoffed as the three looked around. "It's not a book," Zach said pointing up at a card stuck in the railing.
Jay ran up to the balcony to where the card was. "I don't see it," Jay told them. "But it should be right here," he muttered before reaching for the card.
Zach watched as Jay's hand passed through the card. "Let go," Corey told them. The two released Corey. "Do you still see it?"
"No, it's gone," Liam told him. They listened as they heard Corey move up to where Jay was kneeling as the werecheetah continued to swipe his hand through the nearby rails.
Corey reappeared, holding the card in his hand. "Can you see it now?" he asked.
"Yeah," Zach sighed.
Jay snatched the card from the chimera and turned it over in his hand. "It's blank," the werecheetah told them.
"Maybe Mason could figure it out," Corey suggested, taking the card back from Jay.
"I'll call him," Liam said.
"I told him what we were doing before we started. He should be here soon," Corey said as he and Jay made their way back downstairs. Zach examined the card as Corey held it up before Mason ran through the library doors.
"You found something?" he asked. Corey smiled has he held up the card. "How?" he asked, taking the card from the chimera.
"We saw it while we were invisible," Liam told him.
"But, couldn't see or touch it until Corey did," Zach added.
"It's just like in physics. It wasn't there until you saw it. Then it became real. It's Schrodinger's cat," Mason told them. "The quantum state of a superposition. To see something is to change its very existence. It changed reality."
"I still don't get it," Corey said.
"It's still a blank card," Jay added.
"And you guys still don't remember Jake," Zach said.
"It looks like a library card," Corey stated.
"Still blank," Jay reminded them.
"Not completely," Liam said, grabbing the card and hoping over the desk to the librarian's computer. "It still has the strip," he added before swiping it through the reader and setting it on the desk.
The other four ran around and watched as the computer brought up a student record. "Jake Sullivan. He was in the physics lab last night," Mason sighed.
"I completely forgot about him," Corey said.
"Me too. We have Spanish together," Liam added.
"But you remember him now?" Zach asked. The three of them nodded before turning back to the card.
"It's not blank anymore," Jay muttered. Jake's picture, name, year, and ID number had appeared over the Beacon Hills High School logo and background.
"They erased him," Mason sighed, looking up to where Jake was hanging the night before.
"You were right," Liam said, looking to Corey, Jay, and Zach.
"You remembered, but not because you were told," Zach muttered.
"In order for them to remember. They have to figure it out on their own," Jay told the others.
"In order for them to remember. They have to figure it out on their own," Jay told them as Leonard joined the group.
"I know this sounds crazy, but I think I had a best friend," Scott told the others. "And I think he was out here with me that night."
"It doesn't sound crazy," Malia said. "I know that someone chained me up and I think they wanted me to stay human."
"I came to school this morning and I was sure I was supposed to meet someone, someone other than Fiona," Lydia added. "But I couldn't remember who it was supposed to be. I have been looking for them all day. Whoever it is, I think I loved him."
Steve chuckled causing everyone to turn to him. "Who forgets someone they loved?" Steve asked.
Charlie opened his mouth and turned to Fiona as she closed her eyes. "I thought I told you to stop following me," Scott said, as the three walked towards the pack.
"We just want to help, Scott," Charlie repeated.
"How do we know you haven't altered our memories using your pack link?" Scott asked.
"Fiona tricked Lydia with the vision. Jay was in my house the other night," Malia growled as she shifted, her eyes glowing blue.
"Think about it for one—" Leonard started before Steve ran forward and tackled Malia to the ground. "What the hell," the werelion sighed as he and Kaia ran towards them. Malia pushed herself away from Steve before jumping back to her feet, growling.
Kaia flicked out her staff as she jumped in front of Steve while Leonard stood against her back, facing Malia. "She has no control. She's a threat to us and need to be eliminated," Steve growled, glaring at Kaia with his red eyes.
"That's not how we do things," Kaia told him. "She can gain control."
"That's not how the Republic does things," Steve replied before running at her and bringing his arm back. The kitsune knocked his strike aside with the staff, before swinging it into his abdomen and knocking the alpha back. She jumped out of the way when she heard growling behind her and watched Malia run by before Leonard moved in between the two of them.
"You're telegraphing," Kaia warned him. "Did you forget how to fight?"
"My instincts are enough," Steve growled before running at Kaia again.
"Malia, let's just talk about this for a second," Leonard said calmly. The werecoyote snarled before running at him again. He stepped to the side before pushing Malia to the ground. Malia returned to her feet as Kaia knocked Steve to the ground again.
"Scott," Charlie breathed holding up his hands. "Let's talk this out."
"This is his chance, isn't it?" Scott asked, cracking his neck as he shift, his red eyes glaring at the beta.
"Scott, don't do this," Charlie replied, taking a step back.
"You attacked first," Scott growled before lunging for Charlie.
Charlie's back slammed into the ground before he kicked the alpha off of him. "Second time tonight," the beta muttered, his blue eyes glowing as he shifted.
"You attacked Liam?" Scott growled running towards Charlie again.
The beta grabbed Scott's arms, holding him back. "Second time I've been attacked by an alpha for no reason," he growled before pushing Scott away. "Let's just talk for one second!"
"Lydia, we didn't manipulate your memories," Fiona stated, walking towards the banshee.
Lydia nodded. "You almost walked in front of the car too. You seemed just as confused as I am about these visions."
"I am," Fiona admitted.
"I believe you."
"Okay. Then we need to get them to stop."
"Scott!" Lydia called out, but the alpha ignored her as he attacked Charlie.
"Charlie," Fiona thought to the beta.
"I'm trying," the beta responded before pushing Scott back.
"Words aren't going to stop them," Leonard told her as he pushed Malia to the ground.
"That's it," Fiona whispered.
"What?" Lydia asked.
"I need you to scream, up into the air," Fiona said stepping towards her. Lydia stared at the other banshee confused. "Like Meredith and I showed you. It'll make sense," Fiona added.
Lydia paused for a moment before forcing a scream into the air. Immediately after, Fiona screamed up, focusing on the center of Lydia's scream. A shockwave exploded out from them knocking the others to the ground.
"Everyone stop fighting!" Fiona shouted as the others got back to their feet, unshifted.
"I don't take orders from you," Steve growled, his red eyes starting to glow again.
"You'll heed my advice before someone gets hurt," Fiona warned him. The alpha shook his head, shifting and taking a step towards the two banshees. The alpha was hurled into a tree as Fiona raised her arm and screamed. "We need your help just as much as you need ours," Fiona panted as the alpha slumped to the ground, unconscious. "But we can't help each other if we're fighting."
"How do we know you're not lying?" Scott asked, glancing toward Charlie.
"You're all thinking of the same person," Leonard told them.
"You still have that picture?" Charlie asked, looking at Scott. "Show them," the beta added when Scott didn't reply.
"It's a misprint, or altered," Scott huffed, pulling the picture out. Lydia took it from his hands as he approached.
"No, it's not a misprint," Lydia whispered. "We'd be overlapping each other or the table would be misaligned."
"What's with the weird gap though?" Malia muttered.
"There's two," Fiona added, correcting her.
"He was sitting right there," Lydia stated, pointing at the gap between her and Scott. "And someone was there," she added pointing between Steve and Fiona. "Scott, I think they're telling the truth."
Scott sighed before looking at the other pack. "We need to get into our subconscious," Scott said.
"Hypnosis," Leonard suggested.
"Deaton," Lydia muttered, turning to Scott.
"I'm taking Steve home," Charlie stated as he moved towards the unconscious alpha.
"And then what?" Fiona asked.
"I don't know."
Deaton straightened when he saw Fiona, Leonard, and Kaia follow Scott, Lydia, and Malia into the animal clinic.
"I don't think—" Deaton started.
"You can trust them," Marin interrupted as she stepped out of the back room.
"Ms. Monroe?" Lydia asked.
"If the Ghost Riders are taking memories, then maybe there is merit to their words," she finished after nodding to Lydia.
Deaton sighed before allowing the six of them into the back room. "We're going to try automatic writing," he explained.
"I think I've tried that before," Lydia muttered.
"That's good, 'cause you'll be the one doing it," Marin said, leading the banshee to the table.
"Scott said you seemed to remember the most," Deaton added
"We'll use the shard from the windshield that you brought in earlier today," Marin said, looking to Scott. Deaton turned on a black light below the shard that was suspended by a string.
"Now she just magically writes down all the answers?" Malia asked.
"It's not quite that simple," Deaton told her as Lydia sat in front of the shard.
"It never is," the banshee commented.
"In automatic writing, the hand moves outside of any conscious awareness," Deaton explained.
"Accessing the subconscious," Kaia sighed.
"Exactly," Marin replied. "We set the room up to allow for her to focus."
"Now, hopefully, the silence, the darkness, and the light will allow you to find a more comfortable, relaxed, trance-like state. Lydia, I want you to stare into the light and let go of all thought," Deaton explained, sliding a piece of paper and pen to her before nodding for everyone else to leave.
Lydia looked up to Fiona for a moment before Fiona nodded toward the light. Everyone but Lydia moved to the front room, watching through the doorway. Marin pulled Kaia towards the door. "Why haven't you explained everything to them like you did with me?" the druid whispered.
"Do you remember?" Kaia asked.
Marin paused before shaking her head. "No."
"They have to figure it out on their own. I think us giving them information might even hinder the process," the kitsune whispered.
Marin narrowed her eyes at Kaia. "If you're lying they're going to find out at some point," she warned.
"We aren't lying, they just have to remember."
Fiona stared at Lydia as she clicked the pen and stared at the light refracting off the shard. The other banshee moved the pen to the paper, not looking away from the shard and began writing.
"I have to warn you," Deaton whispered. "We may not be able to access these memories."
"Why not?" Scott asked, glancing at Leonard.
"The legend has always been that the Wild Hunt take people. But if what I've been told is correct, the truth is much worse. They erase people from reality."
"Altering the course of history," Leonard added as Fiona continued to watch Lydia write.
"Possibly," Deaton replied.
"How did we remember someone who has been completely erased from our minds?" Scott asked. "How can they remember everything about them?"
"Maybe he hasn't been," Malia stated, pointing towards Lydia who had started to frantically scribble on the paper. They watched Lydia work as her breathing became labored.
"Woah, is she okay? Should we stop her?" Scott asked.
"Kaia," Fiona whispered, nodding for the kitsune to rejoin them. Marin walked out the door as Kaia moved towards them.
Deaton held Scott back as the alpha moved towards Lydia. "Lydia? Lydia, slow down," Deaton said, walking toward her and turning off the light. Lydia dropped the pen before staring blankly ahead.
"Is she okay?" Scott asked as he knelt next to her.
"Send Leonard in to restore her mind?" Kaia suggested as they approached.
"Just wait a minute," Fiona told them. "I don't think they'd be too pleased about Leonard digging around her mind."
"Lydia?" Deaton asked, gently shaking the banshee.
Malia reached forward and grabbed the sheet of paper. "What does mischief mean?" she asked after looking over the paper.
Leonard peered over her shoulder as she set it back on the table. "She remembers," Leonard told them.
"That's not what she wrote," Scott said, turning the page so the jumble of mischiefs clearly formed the word Stiles.
Lydia gasped and looked around at the others. "What the hell is a Stiles?" she asked. Scott, Malia, and Deaton shrugged.
"She doesn't remember," Kaia sighed.
"Not fully. But it's there," Leonard said.
"I've known you for eight years, and you thought I wouldn't be able to tell you were lying," Charlie sighed as he sat in Steve's desk chair. The alpha stared at him from the bed, remaining silent since he woke. "It's okay if you don't remember August. We just need to know," Charlie continued, but the alpha remained silent. "If you would just tell us how things were different, we could help you understand."
Steve huffed as he crossed his arms. "We could explain August to him all we want," Jay thought. "He isn't going to remember him unless he does so on his own."
Charlie nodded, before looking to Steve. "Scott and the others are remembering through their subconscious. You'll remember at some point," Charlie said, before standing and heading towards the door. "Get some sleep." Charlie stopped in the hall after closing the door behind him. "The others have started to remember after just two nights of sleep," he thought to the others.
"Maybe he isn't sleeping," Jay suggested.
"For three days?"
"He'd have serious effects at this point. Impaired coordination, poor judgment, disorientation, hallucinations," Leonard explained.
"Could explain his why he's acting so strange. Thinking we're trying to hurt him, attacking Malia, not being able to fight," Kaia added.
"Wouldn't it be more noticeable?" Fiona asked.
"Well, yeah. But maybe—" Leonard started.
"Those changes could be how he is without August. He said himself he doesn't need to know how to fight, he has his instincts," Charlie told them.
"So?" Zach asked.
"That was the old pack's mentality on fighting, outside of Steve and me. We trained because August trained."
"So, he hasn't accessed his subconscious?" Kaia asked.
"I think something is blocking it," Charlie responded.