The day painfully dragged on. Raven found herself lying on the coach in the lounge, thinking that an hour had past, only to be miserably disappointed to see that only seventeen minutes actually went by.

5:42 PM.

Fuuuuuuck…

Still had about five more hours until Daft Punk got here… She was dreading when they would, because for all she knew, they would take Mau5 and her and turn right back around on the plane.

She didn't want to go back… but what else could she do? Daniel and James had the place locked tight… She had considered trying to pick a lock, but the problem with that was she wasn't left alone long enough to do so.

A sound caught her attention and she sat up. Mau5 came into view from them door in the hall. He had his gaze fixed down in front of him still and his feet dragged him forward ever so slowly. Several more patches of fur were missing on his face. He looked lost. He looked insane. He looked… dead.

Raven sat perfectly still as she watched him creep along. His blank gaze seemed to not see her… she hoped he would just pass by without any trouble.

Unfortunately…

Mau5 stopped dead center in the doorway. He did not move a muscle for a very long time. Raven struggled to swallow the lump that again, formed in the back of her throat. Bloody fuckin'… where is Daniel when I might need him?

Mau5's head then turned and his gaze fell on Raven. He said nothing, only stared. This stare had become soft… but it didn't ease Raven's fear.

Raven then felt the urge to speak, to break this horrible silence. It's too risky… she thought.

"I want to get rid of this face." Mau5 spoke up suddenly.

Raven shuddered slightly. She didn't like the tone he spoke with.

Mau5 blinked slowly, taking in his words… then he nodded, agreeing with himself.

Suddenly, Raven knew what to say, "You'll become human."

At first, for a second, she thought it was a mistake to say it, because Mau5's tail stood straight up. She had knocked a spark of life in him. His gaze fell back to her. Raven hesitated, but she nodded slowly. "You'll be human."

His eyes glazed with wonder as his cyboric mind absorbed her words.

She wasn't sure why she was telling him this… because at this point, she had little faith that Dead Mau5 would ever reach such a significant goal. But it was what he wanted- what he needed to hear.

"Thank you…" He whispered, and walked off slowly… going back to think some more to himself.

…

10:00 PM

Fifteen minutes until Daft Punk's flight would arrive.

Marie had already arrived. She sat with James and Daniel in the lounge, discussing what would come next. Something along the lines of confidential government bullshit… or wotever…

Raven was no walking around the empty halls alone. She had become anxious as hell and could not stay still. She didn't have much more time of freedom. The chance was lost.

She walked into another hall that had large windows making a look out to the world. The glass looked thick… and cold. Raven's feet stopped her in front of these huge, icy windows. She looked out them with hopeless eyes.

The moon had appeared high in the sky again; its white, soft gaze fell through the glass and rested on Raven's face. She signed, biting her lower lip. She so badly wanted to be home… away from all this mess.

She closed her eyes for a second, reflecting on her memories of home… of her mother, of her small apartment, her friends in high school and… he kangaroo companion.

Psycho… I hope you are all right…

Raven's eyes fluttered open again and her breath fell short. Her eyes became wide. She couldn't believe… what has just appeared…

She continued to stare out the window in a narrow alley that merged with this side of the building.

Hopping… stopping to look, listen, sniff…

As if fate had heard her… there he was! Psycho, the lizard kangaroo had come bounding right into the hidden area of the parking lot.

Raven's jaw completely dropped. Her hand pressed flat against the cold window. Was this real? Was he really there?

The way the moonlight reflected harshly on his purple, scaly body, the way that his body shuttered when he let out a harsh snort, the way his ears twitched in all directions and shivered in the cool night air… he had to be real.

Raven did not stall. She turned to her right and ran towards the door that led out to that parking lot. Just for the sake of time, she pushed on it.

Locked.

Quickly, her hands dove into her pockets as she hastily fished for something to pick the lock. A fork? Maybe she stored on accidentally? A tack? Did she remember picking up such a thing? Ah!

Her hand pulled out a single bobby pin. Of course, she had used a few of these to pin up her hair under her raving mask and wig. She knelt down on one knee, squinted an eye into the keyhole and began to stuff part of the bobby pin around. She felt for the lock shape… it was difficult. She had only done this once before.

C'mon… c'mon! Her heart was racing all of a sudden, thumping loudly in her chest. She stopped for a second to glance over her shoulder and see if anyone saw her. They had forgotten about her for a while now…

Just stay in the parking lot a little longer, boy…

Frantically, she twisted and turned the pin. It had to open, it just had to!

Then…

CLICK!

Freedom… Could I call this fuck'n luck?

Raven slammed the door open as softly as she possibly could. The energy and excitement was rapidly surging through her. She ran out to the raised platform of the concrete and glanced down the stairs.

He saw her.

The moment that door opened, Psycho turned his head wildly around in her direction. First his eyes had reflected startled panic… then as his memory of his dear friend came racing through him, they softened. Raven immediately felt tears build up in her own eyes, as her body quivered with joy.

Psycho's lips parted slightly as he let out a soft cry. Rrrraa… His paws trembled.

I found you…

"Psycho." Raven whispered.

He hunched over and began to jump towards her. Raven felt the tug to rush towards her friend. Her feet were just about to pull her down the stairs and into the parking lot… "….Raven?"

All the happiness in her melted away and she became caked fear once again. She turned to look behind her and her heart almost leaped through her throat and out her mouth. Mau5 stood next to her, his eyes full of disbelief. He had to say nothing more… she could see what he was screaming in his mind:

Why? Why would you do this… again?

They both heard a loud, angry snort.

Mau5's eyes quickly darted over and fell on Psycho. His whole body tensed up.

You… He knew this beast. It only took him a few seconds of observation and scanning.

This… was the kangaroo lizard. This was Raven's other mutant companion.

Psycho stood tall on his large, powerful legs. His long ears were folded back. His milky white eyes leered at the red, mousy creature standing too close to Raven.

What is this… thing? Was this what took Raven away? Anger and panic bubbled up inside his gut.

Grrr… grrrl!

Raven's eyes darted back and forth in absolute panic. The two most unstable creatures had their eyes locked… they both looked… like they were about to snap. Could this get any more fucking dangerous?

"Raven… this bastard wants to take you away…" Mau5 snarled. His voice had become significantly deeper and aggressive.

"Mau5…" She began, trying to get him to calm down. This wasn't going to end well and she knew it. She could already see his eyes starting to fade to a bright red, as his lips curled back to show his fangs.

Immediately, Psycho took this as a challenge for his human friend. He bellowed out a loud, hissing roar.

The fur on Mau5's face and tail stood straight up.

Raven let out a loud scream as both raging animals rushed at one another.

Psycho lunged high up, aiming to come down on top of Mau5. Mau5's feet sprinted him to the side, barely avoiding Psycho's tackle. He didn't however avoid the whiplash of the kangaroo's tail. With a powerful thwack! The sharp spines on his tail scraped the rodent DJ's face. He squeaked loudly but lunged his gnarled fingers towards the kangaroo's neck. He gripped tightly and pulled the beast's neck to his lips. His large, mouse teeth sunk firmly into the skin. Psycho's eyes went wide and began to kick and jump violently to knock Mau5 off. But Mau5 held on held on, biting down harder and piercing the flesh.

"Stop! Both of you, please!" Raven pleated.

She only stood helplessly alone to the side. If she even tried to come between them, she knew she'd lose an arm, leg or even her head. Her body trembled at the sight in front of her. Mau5 had bitten so deeply in Psycho's neck, a stream of blood was starting to drip down. Psycho continued to flail about, hoping to knock the attacker off. He wailed, whined and grunted.

"Mau5, stop!" Raven cried. But Mau5 could not hear her. His anger and rage had blinded him to just on task: kill the threat.

Psycho then fell over on his side, still hollering in pain. Raven felt her whole body clench. She ran forward now, her fingers gripping Mau5's dress shirt tightly and she pulled with all her might. Mau5 refused to release… he kept his grip firm with both his jaws and hands. Raven began to cry. "Mau5! Let him go!"

Psycho's eyes flashed open as he pulled one of his back legs between his own body and Mau5. With a loud grunt, his leg slammed into Mau5's chest and sent him flying a good 5 feet. Raven felt the fabric of his clothes rip from her hands. The air in his lunges escaped his lips with a whip as the wind was knocked right out of him. He landed hard on the pavement in total shock. Psycho got up slowly before he turned on Mau5 to pursue. Just as Mau5's struggled to get to his feet, psycho lunged at him again and head butted him over. Psycho was about to sink his own teeth into Mau5, but the rodent whipped his hand around in a tight fist. That fist meant to collide with Psycho's lower jaw… instead it slammed harshly up into the roof of Psycho's mouth. Both Psycho and Mau5 gasped in pain. Psycho's teeth had sunk holes into Mau5's knuckles and the impact jerked Psycho's head back violently. Raven saw the opportunity to try and grab a hold of Psycho's scruff around his neck and pull him back. She grabbed the thick fur and yanked, but could not move the kangaroo away. Her heart was beating so harshly in her rib cage. Please, let this stop!

Psycho whipped his mouth off of Mau5 and lunged forward with his front paws, clawing and tearing at Mau5's face and body. Mau5's only defense, having the body of a human, held his arms up to protect himself. The insides of his arms were getting ripped to shreds. His teeth gritted but he pushed back, trying to get the kangaroo off of him. Raven still held on to her friend, trying to slow him down. Tears were watering her vision. "Psycho, stop! Both of you- STOP!"

Just as Raven let out a shriek, Psycho leaped up, knocking her back on her behind. His hinge legs kicked Mau5 and knocked him back another 5 or 6 feet. He came crashing down on some wooden boxes lying on the sides of the alley wall. The crates caved in on Mau5's weight and splitters of wood flew around him. Mau5 groaned in pain.

Psycho looked back to Raven now, bringing his head down to her level. His eyes reflected apology. Raven used his head gripped in her hands to stand back up. "Psycho… be calm." She said, still gripped his head. She tried to prevent him from looking back at Mau5.

Keep his gaze on you... focus his energy on you, and you alone.

Psycho grunted in confusion. He thought he was doing right… protecting Raven. But her gaze seemed displeased…

Mau5 shook his head, trying to recover. He looked down on the broken crates he fell on. His eyes then went wide….

Batteries… the boxes had large, electrical batteries in them… A revengeful grin formed on his dark, furry face.

"Heh~ …c'mon…" He panted.

Psycho immediately turned to him, leering.

"No… no, boy… look at me!" Raven begged.

Mau5 slowly got on his knees, and his tail coiled around him. He looked up at the large Kangaroo, sneering. Even though he looked broken and beaten up; much worse than Psycho, he looked to be glowing with confidence.

Stupid Rat! Raven thought, still trying to turn Psycho back towards her. Psycho refused to look back. His furious glare stayed fixed on Mau5. This stupid mouse still threatened him.

With a snort, Psycho hunched over and stomped his foot on the asphalt.

"C'mon… I dare you!" Mau5 beckoned.

"Wot are you-" Raven began, until her eyes fell to his feet. She saw his tail slip into a plug on a high volt battery. She knew what he was up to.

"Psycho.. don't-"

"C'MON!" Mau5 shouted, spreading his bleeding arms out to the kangaroo. Immediately, Psycho lunged away from Raven and straight at the Mau5.

"NO!" Raven screamed.

In that instant, the battery was turned on. Mau5's eyes blazed brightly like spotlights. Psycho saw this change as bad, but it was too late… he could not halt quickly enough. Mau5 put his palms flat out towards the kangaroo, just as his body came forward. As soon as Mau5's hands made contact to Psycho's chest, the kangaroo's body locked up tightly and he began to quiver violently. He let out an ear-piercing holler; the fur on his face and neck stood straight up and saliva began to dribble from his open mouth. His face reflected accelerating pain and shock.

Raven put her hands to the sides of her face.

Holy fuck!

Psycho then collapsed on his back and fell motionless. Mau5 panted, pulling his tail out of the battery. The energy of electricity flowing through him and to the kangaroo was a lot to handle. He loomed over his opponent, absorbing the situation. Raven shuddered as she let out muffled cries.

Psycho…. Are you….? She shook her head in disbelief.

Mau5 grinned fiendishly. "Yeah.." he said towards the still creature below him. "Fuck you!" he shouted.

Raven felt an anger swell through her like fire. The instinct to strangle Mau5 overwhelmed her. She wanted to avenge her friend… her poor friend who just wanted to get her home safely. Before she could move forward, there was movement below. Both she and Mau5 looked down. Psycho had turned his head up towards the rodent. It was weak, but it appeared that a deceiving grin shown on his face. He let out one sound: practically a laugh… and another back leg came hurdling towards Mau5, too quickly to avoid. Psycho's foot bashed into the bottom of Mau5's jaw, forcing his head up awkwardly. Raven gasped in shock as the sound of a loud CRACK! was heard. That kick was too powerful.. Mau5's jaw had been shattered. Mau5 fell down with a thud. His body twitched in shock.

Raven stared… her mind was having trouble comprehending all this.

Did this really all happen so quickly?

Psycho got up very easily, his body still tensing and spazzing from the electrical shock.

Mau5 laid crippled on the ground, sprawled out and helpless… completely vulnerable.

Raven sensed Psycho wanting to attack again, so she reached out and grabbed his scruff. "No more." She pleaded. She had enough violence. This, aside from his foe unable to stand, calmed the lizard kangaroo.

This was the turning…

Raven looked upon Mau5, her emotions clashing hard. She still could not decide what she felt towards this… being. She watched him struggle… he was trying to drag his hand along the ground and reach Raven. He could not turn his head; only awkwardly stare up at them both. Raven knew one thing… she felt pity for him. Her desire to be home was too great now to hold her back, but she knew he wouldn't understand this. She knew, once she left, he wouldn't know why. He would hate himself for this, and perhaps even grow to hate her. Hate her for this pain she was about to put him through.

Now you will understand what I have felt.

Raven knelt down in front of Mau5, softening her gaze. She put a hand softly down on his head. He felt his soft fur on her fingertips.

This creature was so much like a child… he was dependent, and weak at heart. He had put so much faith and love into Raven for such a short period of time. And now that she threatened to leave… all that love, faith, dependency… was killing him.

He only looked at her pleading, in great desperation. Don't go, Raven… he seemed to say. Please don't go… don't leave me…

She felt the pity swim over her even more. As she looked upon his broken face, she saw some pattern blinking in his right eye: A single 'X' was fighting to form on that eye. A soft gurgle could be heard in his throat from struggling to speak, but the broken jaw denied him this.

Raven sighed softly… Mau5 reached up and his fingers gently gripped her hand on his head.

Don't go, Raven… please…

"I'm sorry, Mau5." She whispered. She pulled her hand away from his grasp and stood up. The last look she saw on his face drilled a hole in her heart, …but it still wasn't enough to stop her.

She turned to Psycho, who hunched down low on the ground. She climbed up on his back, gripping his back scruff for support. "Take us home, boy…" She spoke in his long ear. With that Psycho turned back to the exit from whence he came. With one push, he was off, leaping away in long strides.

Raven held tight and kept her eyes straight ahead. She dare not look back... she couldn't.

…

"Rippin' my heart was so easy~ So easy~"

…

Psycho's hops became quick as he darted into a street and then reemerged into the shelter of tall buildings. Raven's hands and legs clenched tightly to his body as he bounced along.

…

"Launch your assault now… take it easy~"

…

There was a burn within. She couldn't quite describe it. It was like something was dying inside.

…

"Raise your weapon~ Raise your weapon~"

…

Mau5 felt his heart crumbling in on itself. The pain… not just the pain of a broken jaw, but deep down… was choking him.

Raven…

…

"One word~ … and it's… over~"

…

A single tear fell from Raven's face. One tear… just for you Mau5.

…

…

…

"Daniel! He's over here!" James shouted.

How long had it been? It felt like forever…

Daniel rushed over to James's side. "Oh… oh shit…"

Both the bodyguards knelt down to find Mau5 completely motionless on the asphalt. His jaw was severally dislocated and one 'X' was flickering off and on in his right eye. His body was scratched and bruised, his clothes ripped and tattered.

"Is he… dead?" James gasped, his eyes bulging out of his skull.

Daniel reached his hand to Mau5, placing two fingers on the DJ's neck. He paused.

James became restless and quite upset. "Oh, fuck, man! He's dead! Ah gawd, Daft Punk is gonna have out hides!" He stood up, rummaging his hands through his hair and began pacing in circles. "No, no, no! We were supposed to watch them both! At all times! Ah fuck! That lil' bitch.. it's all her fault!"

"Quiet!" Daniel hissed. He paused again.

"What?" James demanded. "What is it?"

"…He's not dead… he's just unconscious."

James let out a loud gasp of relief. "… We're still gonna be in a lot of trouble for this. Out jobs are pretty much gone. Daft Punk will be arriving any minute. What are we suppose to say?"

Daniel remained quite as he thought. He stared at poor Mau5. Suddenly they heard a faint noise come from the back of Mau5's throat. He was awake… he reached up at Daniel, weakly.

"We'll tell them… Raven ran off and Mau5 found out first. We do not know how he got so hurt… We did not hear anything. It's a sound proof building, after all…"

"Fuck, me…" James said, his voice shaking.

Daniel reached with his large, meaty hands and placed it on Mau5's head.

"There, there…" he whispered to the rodent. "It's going to be okay, Mau5…"

But it was very clear how damaged Mau5 was. Daniel and James could see the psychical and mental pain all over his furry face. For once, the rodent seemed to be crying… crying real, salty, watery tears.