Chapter Eight

The Finale

Rick had looked over when Bardo had fallen to the ground. Rushing t him, he picked him up, setting him down beside Ginger who was still alive, but barely.

The two reached over and held their hands together as Brick smiled at her, "One hell of a fight, Ginger."

She laughed and then coughed a few times, "Just like you always wanted to go down, fighting."

Blade and Jester had turned, moving toward the fallen body of Pinhead as Rick turned to check on him as well.

"Hang on Puppet boy." Brick called out, stopping Rick who turned and knelt down.

"What is it, Brick?"

Looking to Ginger, he whispered something in her ear. She was silent for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

"I want you to do something for us. Something I think will help everyone in the long run."

He motioned Rick to come closer and whispered what it was in his ear.

Rick's eyes widened, "Brick…Ginger…I…I just don't know."

"Talk to him, he's the genius." Brick chuckled, nodding over to Decapitron.

Standing beside Pinhead, Jester's face had switched to the frown as he let out a quiet, "Ooooo."

Blade simply shook his head as Six approached to give his respects.

Decapitron had helped Mrs. Leech to her feet and was walking over when Rick rushed up to them, "Andre, we need to get your things, quickly!" he said, reaching into his pocket and removing the black head as he handed it to the puppet.

Switching heads, Andre's head morphed as he spoke, "What is it, Rick?"

"It's Brick and Ginger…They...Come on." Stuttered Rick, leading them over to where the pair still lay on the floor.

"I'll let Brick explain everything. Then you tell me what you need."

The conversation was quick as Brick and Ginger explained what they wanted to do.

Andre and Leech looked at one another for a moment before nodding in unison.

Moving to Rick, Andre said, "I am going to need access to my equipment. Please see if Krauss left it intact for his own purposes."

"That reminds me," Rick said, looking over at Krauss' unconscious form, "What are we going to do with him?"

Andre smiled, "You need not worry, Puppet Master. I have an idea."

Hours later, things were in full swing up in Krauss' room. The equipment had been set up with several test tubes and vials bubbling with strange colored liquids. Andre was telling Rick what to do and was supervising the entire process.

Ginger and Brick were losing life quickly as they each lay on small stretcher type tables, still holding hands.

Looking at one vial, Rick nodded, "Okay, Andre. I think it's ready."

Moving to look at the substance, Andre nodded, "Indeed it is. Now we must wait."

Moving to stand at the side of Brick, Andre asked, "Are you certain about this, Mr. Bardo?"

"Brick." Replied the Dollman as he nodded, "Yeah, we're sure."

A series of quick breaths from his side caused Brick to look over at his wife.

"Ginger?"

Her eyes had widened as she looked over to him, "Brick..I…I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart." He said with a smile.

Smiling to him, she took in one last breath and then her eyes remained focused on her husband, but not seeing him.

A single tear rolled down Brick's face as he took in a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling.

Rick's heart felt for Brick. He had lost everything in his quest to help them. Now, what he was about to do, well…it was more than anyone could have asked for.

There were several moments where Brick's breathing became accelerated, then, nothing.

Andre sighed, "Farewell warrior."

Looking to Rick, he nodded, as Rick poured a small amount of the vial into a small cup and handed it to Andre and another to Mrs. Leech.

Both looked at one another before Andre removed a small dagger once held by Jester and sliced it across his neck as Mrs. Leech performed the same movement as they held the cups to their necks.

Their green fluid dripped out into the cups as both puppets fell to the floor, lifeless.

Quickly, Rick grabbed the cup from beside Andre and opened Brick's mouth. Using a small funnel, he poured the liquid down his throat before moving to do the same with Mrs. Leech's cup and Ginger's mouth.

Once it had been poured in, he sat and waited.

The other puppets sat on the windowsill and bed, watching the entire scene unfold, Jester's mouth formed into a surprised look.

Finally, Jester pointed at Brick's chest which had begun to rise and fall.

Ginger's chest began to move only moments after Brick's.

Slowly opening his eyes, Brick looked over to Ginger as she opened her eyes and looked over at him.

"Andre?" she asked in a gargled voice.

"Elsa." Brick replied, smiling and reaching out to grasp her hand.

Sliding from the tiny tables, the pair embraced, both letting tears flow down their cheeks.

Rick couldn't help but tear up as well, witnessing something never before seen.

Brick had told Rick that as they were dying, he may as well confess that they had overheard his conversation with Andre about the transference of souls into a living body. Since they were going to die, they felt it right to give Andre and Elsa another chance together.

Now, their wishes had been fulfilled. Andre and Elsa were in living, breathing bodies once more.

Turning to Rick, Brick/Andre smiled "Thank you Puppet Master. All of this is because of you. I knew you were destined to be my protégé and heir to the formula."

"How could you be so sure it was me?" Rick chuckled, "You could have been wrong."

"Oh no." Andre/Brick said with a grin, "There is more than you know, young Puppet Master. But, that is another story."

Author's Note: I want to thank MovieGal so very very much for her kind comments and compliments. It meant a lot to me and helped inspire me.