Disclaimer: South Park and all of its respective characters are the property of Matt Stone and Trey Parker. I own only this story's plot and any original characters that may pop up from time to time. Also, I am making no profit from this story.

Warnings: This story will contain slash (boys love, yaoi, etc.) as well as violence, swearing, and, well, most of the things you would probably hear in a regular episode of South Park. The boys are intended to be between the ages of 16-18 here.

Chapter 01

Kyle had no idea how it had come to this, but he was fairly sure that by the end of the day he was going to regret coming to this class. As he watched Cartman settle down beside him, taking what was usually Token's seat, Kyle tried to mask his displeasure and pay attention to what the teacher was saying, though try as he might, all he could really hear was his own mind screaming about this injustice.

History had always been a good subject for him, or at least Kyle thought so. It wasn't his favorite (that fell to Literature) but he had never found any fault with the subject so far, and he certainly didn't think it was fair that this little project might just ruin that. Apparently, the teacher had thought that, with it being so early in the new year, a team project would be a 'fun' way to start the new school year.

He was willing to overlook that, this was after all her first year teaching high school and it might not have occurred to her that kids in eleventh grade were just a little different than kids in fourth grade. However, it was the fact of who his partner was that was causing Kyle to suffer something he was sure could be called a mini-meltdown, at least internally. They had been back to school for nearly five weeks now and he was sure that, unless the woman was just completely moronic, she had to have noticed that he and Cartman were not the most ideal partners. For anything.

Did their last little argument teach her nothing?

Oh, of course even Kyle would admit (only in secret) that Cartman had gotten a little better over the years. He still couldn't be called nice or even friendly, but his personality had taken a turn as he matured. Over the last few years, he'd grown quieter and while he was still known for his ability to both crush someone verbally while at the same time rally others with just a mere speech, those instances were few and far between. He had even improved physically, and while he was still bigger than most of the other boys, much of it was due to his short stay on the football team between sophomore and junior year.

None of that, however, had seemed to have affected his relationship with Kyle, though if the Jewish boy were to be honest it wasn't quite as bad as it used to be. Cartman tended to ignore him more than anything these days, preferring silence to a racial remark and though he sometimes found himself a little thrown by the new attitude, Kyle was rather relieved. Still, that didn't mean he wanted to be bound to the boy for two weeks on some idiotic project.

"Jew, pay attention and stop fucking staring at me," Cartman hissed, his gaze sliding over to focus on Kyle. If he was aware of the reason why Kyle had been staring at him, he preferred to leave it unsaid and waiting until the red-head was looking back towards the front of the class, rolled his eyes, following suit.

The racial jabs might have ebbed off, but it seemed that Kyle would always be 'jew' to Cartman and while it had long-since stopped bothering him, even getting to the point where he responded to it without really thinking, the fact that the fatass couldn't even bother with his name just made him wish even more he had been paired with someone, anyone, else. Even Craig, which said quite a bit about how far he was willing to go.

Guessing there was nothing he could really do about it without drawing attention to himself, Kyle sighed and decided that he would just suffer through it for the grade, determined at least to come out of this with a good mark. No longer in the mood to try and pay attention to whatever the teacher was droning on about now, he frowned and seeing something move in the corner of his eye, glanced over, eyes narrowing at the sight.

Stan sat just a few tables away with Wendy, who was sitting so close she might as well have been in his lap and like he usually did when the two of them were involved, he had to fight the urge to gag. Kyle had no problem with Stan having a girlfriend and he was, at the very least, glad that the two of them had pretty much been stable these last few years, as opposed to the on-off thing they'd had going for the better part of their relationship history. However, it was a bit sickening to see just how lovey they could get with one another and the fact they had somehow gotten paired together just didn't sit right with Kyle.

Not that he had held out much hope for getting paired with Stan, the boy had an odd habit of working things out so he and Wendy could work together. At the most, Kyle had hoped for Kenny but those were dashed when the other was told to work with Butters. Letting out yet another sigh, he lifted his gaze and searching for the clock, still not used to its new location by the door, felt a small surge of relief as he watched it slowly, but surely, tick its way to three-thirty.

The silence that filled the alley behind Tom's Rhinoplasty was broken by a light pop, followed by a rather loud string of curses as the figure stumbled, a hand slamming against the building as he tried to find his footing. Trent frowned and taking a moment to regain his senses, glared, at least thankful he'd managed to arrive in a deserted area. Knowing now what Damien had meant when he'd said the first time would be a bit disorienting, Trent sighed and guessing he had a while before the whole 'travel via teleporting' thing would become natural, moved forward, reminding himself of why he was here.

Stopping near the edge of the building, he reached into his pocket and, pulling out a small crystal, studied the object, wanting to get a look at his only tool. It was a tiny thing, red in color, fitting nicely in the center of his palm, and Trent was sure if one had no idea of its true purpose, it could be called pretty. He knew, however, that its purpose was anything but pretty.

According to Damien, it would create, simply, a separate dimension. One that would look exactly like the original surroundings, but which only those specified could enter. Trent wasn't quite clear on all the details, he'd found most of Damien's speeches so far rather boring and had taken to blocking most of them out, but he'd been told it would act almost like a bubble; a bubble which only he, Kyle, and any of the other boys could enter. All he had to do was pick the right spot and let the crystal do the rest of the work.

Stepping out of the passageway, Trent glanced around and glad he'd seemed to time his appearance just right, tried to get his bearings, relieved he still remembered the town so well. There was no way of telling for sure if Kyle would come this way, but it was the most plausible route Trent could think of and he at least had the benefit of getting two more uses out of the crystal before it was no longer any good.

Or, so Damien had said.

Heading for a light post, he nodded and guessing the spot was good enough, lifted his hand, allowing the crystal to fall. He watched as it slowed, and instead of hitting the sidewalk, seemed to phase through as if absorbed by the concrete. When nothing else happened, Trent frowned and wondering if it had failed somehow, knelt, a hand reaching for the spot before he felt a wave of power wash over him. Stumbling back, he coughed and not used to that either, shook his head, swearing softly.

Taking a moment to regain his composure, Trent stood and as he went to dust himself off, paused, suddenly noticing the change in his surroundings. Oh, everything still looked the same – all the shops were still there and he could even see a few people heading down the sidewalk, absorbed in conversation, and yet, nothing was the same. It was darker, looking as if the sun had been blocked out, casting a shadow over the area.

Swallowing, Trent turned slowly and studying what he supposed was now an alternate space, frowned. "Well," he muttered, watching as the small group he'd spotted earlier passed right through the shield before moving on, completely unaware, "I guess it works."

"We are not picking Hitler, so don't even suggest him."

Tensing at the voice, Cartman snarled softly and taking a moment, turned, glaring at the boy behind him. "I wasn't going to suggest him, Jew, but just know that means we can't do Anne Frank either," he stated, chuckling as he watched Kyle's expression darken before he slammed his locker shut, brushing past the boy.

"I wasn't going to suggest her anyway!" Kyle glared, spinning on his heel as he moved after Cartman and staring darkly at the back of the others head, made an impatient sound. "We have to pick someone for this project though, because I refuse to fail." He'd worked too hard, for too long, to let one little grade his overall average.

"Oh yes, wouldn't want your perfect little grade point average to fall." Coming to a halt, Cartman twisted around and studying Kyle for a long moment, frowned. "Listen, since you care so much about the damn grade, you can pick the person. I don't care who it is, just as long as we can get this over with quickly." Turning, he didn't wait for a reply as he continued toward the school doors, shoving a few of the younger kids out of his way.

Not having expected that reaction, Kyle frowned and guessing there was no need to argue that point, nodded, finally catching up as he fell into step beside Cartman. "Don't think that gets you out of helping, just because I'm picking." He warned, not about to do all the work and let Cartman get a free grade. When a low mutter was his only response, he sighed. "Since we both want this over with quickly, maybe we should get started today? We can get started at my house?"

"Oh? Don't have plans with your little boyfriend?" Cartman questioned, and ignoring the glare this earned him, shook his head. "Then again, since he spends most of his time trailing after that hippie-girlfriend of his, it's not surprising he doesn't have time for you anymore," he said, still finding the entire display the couple put on utterly revolting. "Don't give me that look Jew, it's not my fault he left you for the bitch, hell I'd be grateful if I were you."

Resisting his urge to rise and take the bait, Kyle sighed heavily and trying to remind himself it was all for a grade, shook his head. "I don't care that Stan and Wendy are dating, and the only thing I'm grateful for is that they finally seem to be happy together. So why don't we focus on this project and leave them out of it?" He hoped that with a lack of response, Cartman would let it drop. After all, he'd long since figured out the only reason the other would pick at something was if he knew it bothered a person.

When Cartman said nothing more on the subject, Kyle smiled and following the other down the steps, paused before reaching out, grabbing the others arm. "I forgot, my mom wanted me to pick up some stuff on my way home so let's go the other way," he said, quite glad he'd managed to remember the errand, not wishing to return home empty handed.

"Why should I go on some lame errand with you, Jew? Can't the bitch pick it up herself?" He cursed as Kyle's grip tightened, the boys nails pricking against his skin as he snarled. "Fine, all right let go goddamn it!" Wrenching his arm away from the Jew, Cartman glared and rubbing the spot, frowned. "Jesus, do you file your nails or something?"

Rolling his eyes, Kyle decided not to reply to that, not thinking Cartman needed to know that he did, in fact, file his nails every now and then. He'd taken up the habit after discovering his nails had the annoying habit of breaking at a certain length and while he didn't think it was such a bad thing, he knew the fatass would waste no time in making his life hell over the fact.

"It won't take long," he said, heading down the sidewalk as he sighed, a hand moving to his hair before he glanced back, giving Cartman a dark look. "Also, don't call my mom a bitch, Cartman." It was a waste of breath, he knew, as the boy never listened but Kyle decided it couldn't hurt to try once more. When all he received in response was a shrug, he frowned and simply looked back ahead, realizing his prediction had, indeed, come true.

He was already regretting going to class this afternoon.

As yet another group of students walked through the bubble, seemingly unaware of its existence, Trent sighed and lifting a hand, raked it through his hair, wondering if he had been wrong to set the trap here. Leaning back against the building, he frowned and deciding to give Kyle at least another twenty minutes before he called the crystal back, he glanced over toward the main street, watching the people pass by.

Trent wasn't sure yet why Damien wanted Kyle. He'd been too concerned with the fact that, only moments after he had accepted the demon-boy's offer, he found himself merely walking out the front doors of the building he had spent a good chunk of his life in. All he knew at this point was that whatever Kyle possessed, it was powerful, Damien wanted it, and thanks to his accepting Damien's help, it was now Trent's job to help the boy get the item.

So, in a way, he wasn't free. He had merely traded one prison for another and though it stung to know he had fallen for that trap, Trent at least had the knowledge that he had fallen for it of his own accord. He would have been a fool to think Damien would help him for nothing and, at the very least, this would give him a chance to get those bastards back for what they did to him. Plus, Damien had been nice enough to give him a little boost, something to help him make sure once he had Kyle caught, the boy wouldn't get away easily.

All he had to do was be patient for his prey to show.

Shifting the bag in his hand, Kyle headed out of the store and blinking, frowned, not seeing Cartman. He'd left the boy standing right outside the store, and had told him not to move, that he would be right back and he didn't want to wait. Snarling, he cursed Cartman and not about to go look for him, turned around only to slam into something rather solid, sending him stumbling back as he yelped, trying to catch his balance before he felt something grab his arm, steadying him.

"Watch where you're going, Jew," Cartman glared and waiting until the boy didn't look like he was going to fall, let him go, scoffing. "I got tired of waiting, so I went to get a soda, so don't even start bitching," he added, having seen the way Kyle looked upon noticing his disappearance. When a glare was his only response, he rolled his eyes and turned, heading down the sidewalk. "We going or not?"

"I wasn't even in there that long!" He cried, before swearing and moving to quickly catch up to the boy, huffed, slowing once he reached Cartman's side. "You're just impatient, and where's the soda hmm? I don't see any evidence of a soda," he continued, quickly looking to make sure he hadn't missed the item, satisfied when he couldn't spot one.

"Damn thing was flat, so I threw it away." Pausing then, Cartman glanced down and studying Kyle for a moment, shook his head. "Whatever, what did you have to buy anyway?" He asked, and not giving the boy time to reply, reached out, snatching the bag out of Kyle's hands. Holding it up high enough so the other couldn't just grab it back, peered in, not recognizing any of the items. "What the hell is all this crap?"

"It's for dinner tonight," Kyle snapped and grabbing Cartman's shoulder, pushed himself up, managing to yank the bag back as he hopped back, glaring. When Cartman merely smirked, he growled and shoving the bigger boy, stormed ahead, not entirely sure he would be able to handle the other for much longer, grade or no grade. "You are the most annoying--" His words seemed to die in his throat as he felt something heavy pass over him and, realizing it had gone rather quiet, Kyle frowned, turning back.

Cartman was nowhere to be found and for some strange reason, everything looked darker now, as if the area was being overshadowed by something. Swallowing, Kyle took a step back and wondering where everyone had suddenly gone, turned around, trying to calm himself. There had to be a reason for this, a logical explanation and if he could just calm down, he would figure it out. All he had to do was relax, because getting upset would do nothing.

"What the fuck is this?"

Letting out a slight yelp, Kyle spun around and watching as Cartman moved into sight, slumped, glaring at the other boy. "Don't sneak up on…wait, you notice it to then?" Watching as the other just shrugged, he frowned and not thinking the boy would be very helpful, turned back around, taking a moment to study their surroundings, trying to block out Cartman's grumbling.

They were still in South Park, that much was certain as just a few feet away he could see Tom's Rhinoplasty and most of the other buildings looked exactly the same. In fact, nothing really seemed changed except the fact it was far too dark. Where had the sunlight gone? Looking skyward, Kyle frowned and unable to see anything that would be blocking the light, tried to think of something else. Anything else, to explain this.

"Well, it's about time you got here."

The voice startled both Kyle and Cartman, causing the boys to turn, their eyes widening at the sight of Trent Boyette appearing from seemingly thin air. If they noticed the way he seemed to stumble, they chose to ignore it and focus on the fact that the boy who had tried to kill them was once again standing before them, looking rather angry.

"How the hell did you get here?" Cartman asked, seeming to recover first from the shock as he stepped forward, glaring at the other. Behind him, he heard Kyle shift and deciding to ignore the Jew for now, remained focused on Trent, at least glad he stood somewhat of a chance against the boy should he decide to attack.

"That isn't important right now and, if you promise to keep quiet, I might not have to kill you so soon," Trent replied, his eyes sliding toward Kyle, studying the boy he was after. "It's Kyle I'm after, so if you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of this." Giving neither boy a chance to reply, he threw out his hand, deciding now was as good a time as any to test the gift Damien had given him.

Cartman glared and going to question just what the blonde meant, froze, watching with wide eyes as a ball of what could only be called light seemed to appear in Trent's hands. It crackled, almost as if it were electrically charged and he had a vague inclination to call it lightning, though he could not think of why. None of that mattered, however, when he realized just where that ball of light was focused.

Kyle.

He barely had time to react before it was flying toward them and cursing, Cartman spun around, not surprised to see the boy frozen. Not giving himself time to think, he ran and diving forward, slammed into Kyle, sending them to the ground as the blast shot above them, slamming into a nearby building. Wincing as the loud explosion filled the air, Cartman pushed himself up and ignoring Kyle's coughing, turned, glaring at Trent. "What the fuck are you doing?!"

"I told you not to get involved, it's Kyle, not you, I'm here for." Trent sighed and moving toward the pair, snapped, yet another sphere of light appearing in his hand, power crackling over it, relieved this was much easier than teleporting. "Still, I suppose killing you will work just fine, as it means I won't have to bother with it later."

Neither boy could move as Trent approached and, without realizing what he was doing, Kyle reached out, grabbing Cartman's arm. For what, he wasn't sure. Maybe for protection, or maybe for security, or maybe he just wanted some contact with a familiar source before he died. He really didn't know and, at the moment, Kyle didn't think it mattered.

All that mattered was Trent was getting closer and, at the same time, Cartman's hand had moved to cover his own.

The ball of lightning was getting bigger and Kyle knew they wouldn't be able to dodge it, not this time. Unable to watch as his death approached, the red-head closed his eyes and clutching Cartman's hand, could only focus on the simple fact that he did not want to die. He would have done anything to save them, to get out of here and just live.

Cartman wasn't sure why Kyle had grabbed his arm and he couldn't think of why he was now holding the boy's hand, except he wanted to know he wasn't dying alone. Watching as Trent moved closer, the globe of lightning expanding with every step, he frowned. Squeezing the Jew's hand, the brunette glared, knowing at that moment he was going to die and realizing he would do anything to live, to escape this fate. He didn't want to die, not now and most certainly not like this.

Both boys sat frozen, awaiting their fate and wishing, with everything they had, that they could stop it. Then, only a heartbeat later, light exploded, filling the entire area.

Closing his eyes, Trent cursed and halting his advance, forced his eyes open, looking forward as he gasped. The light, which seemed to pulsate, was radiating from Kyle's chest. Wondering if that was related to whatever item Damien was searching for, he took a step back and for the first time since all of this had begun, Trent realized just what he had gotten himself into.

For the first time, he felt trapped.