The next chapter is up! Enjoy!

The infirmary waiting room was quiet; the only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of feet moving and soft breathing. The group sat in silence, not saying anything to each other. After they had fought the battle against the monsters, they had tried all of their healing magic to try and heal Ari, but nothing worked. They then rushed him to the nearest hospital they could find. That had been two hours ago. Now the group didn't know what to do. Rosalyn and Linda sat in the infirmary chairs, both looking at the emergency doors those doctors had taken Ari through. Kisling was pacing back and forth by the same door, trying to peer into the windows from time to time. Big Bull was lying on the floor, apparently asleep, but his sleeping face looked worried. That was how the group was for two hours. Finally, Rosalyn couldn't take the silence and gloominess anymore and stood up.

"Come on guys! I'm sure Ari's going to be fine! You'll see!" But even though she said this, she herself was uncertain that what she said was the truth. Nobody had come to tell them how their friend was doing. None of the group members knew what was happening behind the emergency doors. That is, except Stan. The Evil King was the only one who would know about how Ari was doing since he was inside of his shadow. When they had gotten Ari to the infirmary, Stan was so quiet. It was so unlike him to be not talkative. Rosalyn once again looked over at the emergency doors, seeing no change.

Rosalyn sighed before leaning back into the chair. Everyone was tired and worn out from the battle they had fought, but nobody seemed to want to sleep, except Big Bull that is. Rosalyn looked over at Linda when she got up to peer though the emergency doors. Rosalyn was about to close her eyes when Linda made an excited noise.

"It's one of the doctors that took Ari back there!" That got everybody's attention. Rosalyn jumped out of her seat to stand next to Linda while Kisling went to wake Big Bull. All four group members stood around the doors and watched as the doctor came closer to them. Once he opened the door, the group bombed him with questions about Ari. The poor guy was almost tackled to the ground by Big Bull and deafened by Linda asking him about Ari. It was Kisling who stopped the others from attacking the doctor even more. They stood around him, watching him straighten his white coat and fix his glasses.

"Your friend is in really bad shape. We tried all that we could, but I don't think he will make it." The group froze.

"What? That can't be! Ari can't die! He can't!" Linda screamed, once again deafening the doctor's left ear. "Do something else! You're not trying hard enough! Rosalyn tell him to do something!" But Rosalyn was still frozen from the news. Kisling and Big Bull both were looking at the ground, taking in the news. Linda looked around at them before screaming at them. "Why are you all just standing there? We have to do something! Ari can't die! We love him! Also, what will happen to coach if Ari dies? Then what? All of his powers will be taken!" The other three group members looked at each other. She had a point. If Ari died, then what was going to happen to Stan and all the power he had just gotten back? His power might get taken to create more Fake Evil Kings. What then...

Rosalyn looked at the doctor, who was still standing there. "Can we see him?" The doctor looked at her before nodding.

"Yes, you may, but he is still out of it. He never did wake up when we were done stitching him up. That is another reason we think he might not make it... But he's in room number 45." Rosalyn nodded before she and the others went past him and in search of the room he was in.

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When they got to the room, they all almost thought they were in the wrong room. Ari had many bandages wrapped around his chest and head, some of his orange hair poking out from underneath all of the bandaging. His arms were also bandaged, IV needles put into both arms, and an oxygen mask on. The group walked up to his bed side, Rosalyn looking down at their poor friend and then the machine that was showing his heartbeat. Linda looked like she was on the verge of tears as soon as she saw Ari in this state, quickly looking away. Kisling was also looking away, staring out of the window. Big Bull gazed sadly down at Ari before looking at the ground. It remained quiet in the room for a long time; the only sound was the sounds of the machines and Ari's breathing. Rosalyn continued to stare at the machine before realizing that Stan was not out of Ari's shadow. The hero suddenly felt anger fill her. Why was Stan not out here? Did he not care? She then took her Rapier out and pointed it at a shadowed part by the bed. This startled the others and before they could ask her what she was doing, Rosalyn spoke.

"You stupid Evil King Stan! Why are you not out here? Don't you care what happens to Ari? He's dying! You know I bet you don't even care what happens to him! He's just a pawn to help you get your powers back! Come out here!" Rosalyn received no response from Stan. Rosalyn didn't know if he was awake and ignoring her or if he was asleep. Her anger flared when she thought of that. "Stan, you better not be asleep! You are a jerk, Stan!" Rosalyn stomped her foot on where she thought Ari's shadow was before sheathing her rapier and turning away. The others looked at each other before looking over at Rosalyn. Linda moved over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, but Rosalyn didn't respond. She remained quiet and still. Once again, the group was in silence before the doctor came back in.

"I'm sorry, but I must ask you to leave now. If you want, you can stay the night." The group nodded before following the doctor out. A nurse came in before they left to check up on Ari. Rosalyn, who was the last to leave, was the only one to hear Ari's pained groan. She quickly turned her head to see a pained expression on Ari's sleeping face. The nurse saw this and went to get something to ease his pain. When she had her back turned, Rosalyn saw a certain shadow's hand come up out of the shadows and rest gently on Ari's fisted one. Ari must have felt the touch, for his pained expression went away into a calmed one, his fist also relaxing in Stan's hand. The hand disappeared as soon as the nurse turned around. The nurse blinked in surprise to see that Ari was now calm and relaxed and not in pain. She stared at him for awhile before putting the medicine down and checking on Ari's heart beat. Once again, as soon as her back was turned, Stan's hand came out from the shadows and held onto Ari's bandaged one; stroking the palm and making the fingers twitch slightly. Rosalyn blinked before smiling.

'So you do care for Ari, Stan...' Rosalyn watched the scene before turning and catching up with the others.

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The sun had gone down three hours ago, yet Rosalyn could not fall asleep. Linda had fallen asleep with her head on Rosalyn's shoulder, Big Bull asleep on the floor, and Kisling slept in a chair across from Rosalyn. It looked rather uncomfortable to her. She sighed before closing her eyes to fall asleep, but she just couldn't. Sighing again, she gently moved Linda's head so that it was leaning against the couch arm. She then got up from her spot and went over to a nurse that was just standing there.

"Excuse me? Do you think I could see Ari again? I can't sleep and I thought seeing him would make me calmer." The nurse smiled and nodded.

"Yes, you may, but it must be short." Rosalyn nodded and walked in the now open doors and down the corredor to Ari's room. When she arrived at Ari's room, she was about to open the door when she saw Stan through the window. Rosalyn remained quiet, watching Stan. The Evil King was just standing there, his back facing the door, and looking down at Ari. Ari was breathing deeply, his heart beat beating steadily. Rosalyn wished she could see Stan's face, but if she could then he would know that she was watching him. She watched him closely, starting to get worried about his motionless stance. She then saw Stan's hands form into fists and a growl was heard from him. He then pointed an angry finger at Ari's sleeping form.

"Why haven't you woken up? We have things to be doing! Not just standing around! Do you not care if I don't get my powers back, you ungrateful slave? Answer me! WAKE UP!" Stan swung a fist, startling Rosalyn. When Rosalyn thought the fist would collide with Ari's head, it stopped. She could see Stan's shadow form shaking with anger before it relaxed. The fist by Ari's head also relaxed and cupped Ari's bandaged face gently. His other hand did the same thing, holding Ari's head. Stan was silent for along time before he leaned down so that his head was by Ari's. Rosalyn watched as Stan's body started shaking, but not in anger this time. She heard a small sob from Stan before he wrapped his arms around his slave. "Please, don't die, Ari. I am your master and I forbid you from dying... I'm sorry I said those things this morning! I really am! You're not just a pawn, I love you..." Rosalyn's eyes widened when she heard this.

'What? Stan did I just hear you correctly?' She watched as Stan continued to hold Ari's motionless body before letting it go. He continued to look down at his slave before returning back into Ari's shadow. Rosalyn stood there, still trying to process what had happened. She then smiled. Then, just as quietly as she had come, she turned and started to go back to the waiting room. She was halfway down the hall when she was frozen by Stan's voice.

"Ari! Ari why aren't you breathing?! What's wrong with this machine? It shows only a line instead of a wavy one? Ari! I told you I forbid you from dying! Don't die! ARI!!"

So, is Ari going to live or die. Or is there going to be a double ending? Just going to find out in the next chapter.