After a long, grueling, casualty-ridden battle with the dreaded writer's block, I finally-FINALLY!-present the continuation of the Runaways' trip through a second alternate dimension!

DISCLAIMER: I own Derrick Bolris. The Misfitverse that this story takes place in belongs to Red Witch, and everything else belongs to Marvel.

Chapter 27: Call of the Wilder

Alternate Nico led the Runaways across a trek of desert, eventually coming upon what looked like an average observatory. As she led them inside, however, she flipped a switch and an elevator carried the teens down into a massive basement.

"What is this place?" Victor asked.

"This is one of the Vivariums the Gibborim set up," Alternate Nico explained. "The Pride sacrificed the souls of children here, feeding them to the Gibborim for almost two decades."

"That is horrific," Xavin snarled. "Even we Skrulls have some sense of honor."

"Mostly you, though," Derrick pointed out.

"Why are we here?" Nico asked her counterpart. "What's so special about this Vivarium?"

"I had my own copy of the Abstract," Alternate Nico answered. "If we can find it before Alex and his parents know we're coming, we might be able to get an advantage."

She pressed a button, which triggered a sliding door, only to reveal a pedestal with absolutely nothing on it.

"Oh, great," Alternate Nico sighed. "Guess we're too late."

"You most certainly are," a voice said.

Through a door came Alex Wilder, along with two adults. The first was a bald man with a goatee, the second was a woman with her black hair in a short ponytail. Alex narrowed his eyes.

"I can't believe you'd do this, Nico," Alex said.

"You'll have to be more specific, Alex," Nico pointed out.

"Alex, please just leave," Alternate Nico pleaded. "I love you, really, but this world…I don't care if it's peaceful, I'll take an imperfect world with people over a lifeless husk any day."

"Sorry to hear that," said Alex's father.

"You were a better person than your parents were, Nico," Alex's mother said, "I won't deny that. But, if you truly loved my son, you wouldn't do this."

"She doesn't have to," Karolina said.

"So these are the alternate-dimension counterparts, huh?" Mr. Wilder said. He paused for a moment. "Damn, suddenly I sound like Stein."

"Don't worry about it, honey," Mrs. Wilder comforted her husband. "Kids, I hate to break it to you, but we're going to have to kill you, just as we did Nico's traitorous parents."

"Mom, Dad…please spare Nico," Alex said.

"Alex?" Alternate Nico asked, hope in her voice.

Alex held up one skeletal Fistigon, allowing it to blaze angrily.

"I want to teach her some manners first," Alex growled.

"You know," Derrick said, "with that light, your hair looks even worse."

Alex put out the fire from his Fistigon and glared at Derrick.

"I would think someone who was dissected by his parents would know better than to judge someone by appearance," Alex sneered.

"I'm not," Derrick said. "I'm judging by everything else I've been told about you."

"That I'm a 'delusional piece of crap', as you call it?" Alex smirked. "Hardly. My parents are the ones who acted out the Gibborim's plans."

"And yet you supported their efforts," Xavin snarled. "Derrick is right. None of you are heroes…you are only monsters."

"And jerks!" Molly added.

For the first time, Alex and his parents looked slightly confused. They quickly regained their composure, however.

"Why don't we settle this somewhere out in the open?" Mr. Wilder proposed. "That way, no one has to get hurt…much."

"Time and place," Nico said sternly.

"The aquatic Vivarium," Alex said in the same tone, "three hours. We'll be waiting."

With that, Alex and his parents left.

"Well, it figures the past would come back to us," Gert sighed. "Personally, I didn't think it would be with a showdown at high noon."

Two and a half hours later, the Runaways and Alternate Nico stood on a beach, preparing to descend into the depths.

"Oh, God," Derrick shuddered.

"It's okay," Nico said, putting a comforting arm around him. "I know you have issues with water, but we need to go down there. We only have a half hour left."

"Question is, how do we get down there?" Gert asked.

"Yeah, we don't have the Leapfrog," Chase pointed out. "Uh…we don't, right?"

"You mean this?" Alternate Nico smirked, holding out the Staff of One. "Let's play leapfrog!"

In a flash, Alternate Nico's version of the Leapfrog appeared beside the group. Unlike the Runaways' normal Leapfrog, this one more resembled a flying hovercraft.

"Sweet!" Chase yelled, immediately dashing for the cockpit.

"I call shotgun!" Victor cried.

At this, Alternate Nico gazed sadly.

"Are you all right?" Karolina asked gently.

"I-I'm fine," Alternate Nico sighed as the remaining Runaways piled into the Alternate Leapfrog. "It's just…it's been so long since I last saw all of you. Seeing them like this makes me feel happy…and sad…it's really weird."

"Trust me, I know the feeling," Karolina smiled. "Come on, we have a date with Alex."

As the final minutes ticked away, the Runaways entered the giant aquatic dome that served as a Vivarium for the Pride. Alex and his parents were already waiting, smirking.

"Welcome to the site of our final battle," Alex said, "in more ways than one."

"What's he talking about?" Derrick asked, trying his best to not let his fear of the surrounding water overwhelm his mind.

"We beat Alex and his jerky parents here back in our place," Molly explained.

"Not here," Mr. Wilder said. "Here, Nico chose to stay with our son."

"It's a decision I'm really regretting," Alternate Nico snarled.

"Sorry, Nico," Alex said, "but it's time you learned how things work in this day and age."

"Starting now!" cried Mrs. Wilder, pulling out a gun along with her husband.

"I got this!" Victor cried, firing his electricity at the guns, only to find that they had no effect. "What?"

"Plastic," Mr. Wilder smirked. "Not only are they non-magnetic, but they're resistant to electricity. In other words, you won't be taking anything of ours."

He looked to his son.

"Alex, we can handle Nico's playmates," Mr. Wilder said. "How about you deal with Nico herself?"

"My pleasure," Alex grinned darkly.

"You're going down, Alex," Alternate Nico growled, preparing the Staff of One.

"And your 'rents are going with you!" Chase snapped, preparing his Fistigons.

"Why bother trying?" Alex asked as he activated his own Fistigons. "You don't have anything left to fight for in this dimension. Why would you even resist?"

"It's called 'sticking by your friends'," Derrick growled. "You wouldn't understand."

"We'll see about that!" Alex cried.

And the battle began.