Chapter Sixteen! Woot!

Still feeling the demon love, guys. :3

All right, so everyone knows now that Douglas was deported from England, right? Well, the results are in: Ya'll wanna know why! :D

So, Douglas: Tell the people.

"Apparently, calling the queen a 'bloody wanker' to her face in a bad British accent and waving a machete around while totally drunk off your ass is frowned upon. The fake passport and small explosive on my person when I was arrested didn't help much, either. Is that not just the stupidest reason?!"

Don't drink and play with swords, kids. Especially with Douglas around. O_o

In fact, no one imitate this guy. Ever.

He's a bad role model.

"Hey, I was twenty-three years old at the time and had a lapse in judgment! And I don't drink anymore….Well, not that much…."

Details.

The question was raised by AllAmericanSlurp about how to pronounce Demon Chase's full name. Well, I listened a bunch of times on Google Translate and think I have it for you guys.

Îngrijirea Vânătoare

In-gree-jira (soft j as in "bonjour) Vee-nah-twa-ray

Don't learn Romanian from me. :(

Anyways, special thanks to DisneyXDGirl, who, through attempting to predict plot twists, actually inspired this chapter's events. :3

Thanks to all my lovely reviewers and silent readers as well as my voters. You guys rock. :)

KickandBelli: There you went! :D Unfortunately, I regret to inform you that only we who are in the Illuminati and are working to bring about the New World Order can understand the complex messages encoded within these words. I see that you've yet to solve Cicada 3031, and do not possess the necessary encryption keys to comprehend this literary work as of yet. Sorry you didn't make the team, my little sheeple. :( But I do have something to cheer you up until you come out with your own story.

"When you leave, my colors fade to gray!

Numa numa iei, numa numa iei!

Every word of love I used to say!

Now I paint it every day!

When you leave, my colors fade to gray!

Here my love will stay, but all my colors fade away!

Every word of love I used to say!

Now I paint it every day!"

Basshunter, "When You Leave (Numa Numa)"

Hope that helped. :3 Thanks for visiting casa del Hybrid! Enjoy your stay. :D

gg180000: C. It's C...Wait, is that right? O_o Crap! *Circles all four just in case.*

AllAmericanSlurp: I don't think they could be mushy if they wanted. Hugs would devolve into headlocks and cage matches. :3

StealthySerpentineShadows: We've barely scratched the surface. Although there are rumors that Oly may or may not have had something to do with the Dyatlov Pass incident...By the way, if you haven't heard of that before, look it up. It's the most interesting thing. :D

Moonlit: He's a likeable guy. :3

DisneyXDGirl: ...Well, Chase was going to be there, but you inspired something else. Thanks you. :3

Vampire Girl: Hells yes to all nine.

Anyways, who wants to find out what's going on in Hybrid land? Oly?

"Zara doesn't own Lab Rats or anything you recognize. If you don't recognize it, it's probably hers."

"...Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday. I know my kingdom awaits, and they've forgiven my mistakes. I'm coming home..."

J. Cole, "I'm Coming Home"

"I meant to behave, but there were too many other options."

Unknown

Chapter Sixteen – Coming Home

Chase

You know what sucks about sleeping in an alley?

The police tend to pick you up.

Because what homeless kid could be innocently sleeping in an alley, am I right? The little bastard must have run away from home. So let's treat him like a criminal!

And that's what I woke up to: Oly and Yahn rapidly turning into flies to avoid detection and no Douglas to be found. Just a bright flashlight and someone loudly asking if I was all right from the alley's entrance.

Snap their necks! How dare they wake you?

Luckily, I had been accosted in this manner a few times before and had the reflexive foresight to shift and appear fully human before they saw my demonic goodness. It was easy enough: Just hide the odd features and you're good to go! Yep: One human-looking Chase Davenport, at your service, officers.

Two men approached cautiously, like they were afraid I'd bolt if they moved too fast. Shielding my eyes against the painfully bright light with my hand, I sat up as one crouched down beside me, his name badge reading "Johnson." How delightfully generic. "You all right?" He caught my chin and made a point to shine his light in my eyes, one at a time in a field sobriety test before he pointed at my ear. "What happened?"

Yes, my right ear - though human now - was still fucked up. Thanks, Oly.

I swear that I heard her snickering a bit as she and Yahn buzzed around my head.

You should swat her like the fly she is.

"I'm fine, sir," I mumbled drowsily, rubbing my eyes a bit to help wake myself up. I didn't say anything else, though. One had to be careful in these situations.

Officer Johnson held out his hand, acting like he was my friend rather than the guy who was going to drag me to the station. "Come on; you can't stay here, kid."

I was well aware, sir.

Quick lesson: When it comes to the police, it's better to just cooperate.

So that's why - even though I didn't want to - I took his hand and allowed him to pull me to my feet. It was why I followed them both to their patrol car. I was glad that the attention - grabbing lights weren't spinning on top. Of course, I didn't appreciate being helped into the inescapable back seat of the car, but what could you do? As the two got in the front seat, Yahn started buzzing in my ear. "Master is with his brother. If you get to make a call, call him."

I nodded slightly but didn't acknowledge him otherwise. What the hell was Douglas doing at Mr. Davenport's house while I was chilling in an alley, freezing my wings off?!

Whatever the reason, it didn't really matter now.

"What's your name?"

The second officer was looking back at me now, smiling like we were old friends as Johnson started to drive. The corner of my mouth twitched. "Chase." If Mr. Davenport was the one I had to call, then he wouldn't recognize anyone but me.

Actually, maybe I could make this easier on all of us.

"I kind of got lost on the way home," I started. "I got off on the wrong bus stop, you see."

The officer looking at me nodded. "What's your address? We'll drop you off."

Fucking score! How great was I? I got a free ride to Mr. Davenport's house!

I quickly listed off the address, and he turned around, telling Johnson where to go.

"Nice thinking, Half-Breed," Oly buzzed quietly.

"No kidding," Yahn agreed. "Now hopefully, Master figures out where you are."

I bit back a question about why Douglas didn't bother to wake me up when he went to talk to Davenport. It wouldn't help my case if I started supposedly talking to myself around these officers. They would think I was high for sure. So I just settled in until, two minutes later, they pulled up to the gate. "This it?" Johnson asked, meeting my eyes in the rear view mirror. When I nodded, he put the car in park while his partner got out and opened my door.

Because you couldn't open the back seat doors of police cars from the inside. The perp' would just walk out.

As the street light overhead illuminated the car a bit more, I noticed a slight glimmer in the seat beside me. Without thinking, I picked it up and dropped it in my pocket before I climbed out and stretched a bit, smiling at the officer. "Thanks, Officer…." I paused.

"Copeland," he supplied, offering his hand.

"Officer Copeland," I finished, shaking his hand.

Of course, they weren't just going to leave that easily. No, they had to make sure that I was inside, first. So, I tapped on the little screen by the gate three times rapidly. Once a keypad popped up, I punched in the code, and the gate opened. And so, with the eyes of two police officers boring into me, I jogged up the drive.

I didn't like people watching me closely. I was a bionic demon thing, after all. So I was aiming to get out of there fast. They were still at the end of the driveway when I reached the door – which I almost took down, I was knocking on it so hard – when a very drowsy, blood-shot-eyed Adam opened the door. He stared at me for a second – I waved like an idiot – and glanced at the police car before he pulled me in by one arm and basically slammed the door behind me. I noted the starting screen of the video game on the TV – Mental Chaos, the choice of Adams who couldn't sleep everywhere – before anything else.

At least I hadn't woken him up, if only by a few minutes.

Why are you letting him man-handle you!?

Because shut the fuck up, I answered irritably.

With the door closed – some scratching started on the other side - Adam immediately turned to me and grabbed both shoulders. "Chasey, don't you ever think that we don't want you around," he said immediately. "Demon or not, you're still my little brother."

Kind of a random outburst, but it left me speechless all the same.

Have I ever mentioned how mesmerizing his voice was? Like a freaking chorus of angels was singing just for me. I wanted to listen to him forever.

"Also, why were the cops here?" he went on.

"The cops were here?"

We both looked up to see Leo halfway up the stairs in his night gown, obviously having been woken up by Adam's lovely door-closing skills. He pointed at me. "What did you do?"

"Ripped the tag off a mattress because I'm hardcore," I replied with a shrug.

Leo descended into the living room, smiling from my half-assed joke . It was late; they weren't all going to be gems. However, he just walked up to me – seriously, no fear – and pulled me into a hug. "You're going to stay this time, right?" he asked quietly.

I was frozen now. Hello? I had basically destroyed the Lab this morning – kind of. You shouldn't be hugging me. You should be scared. At least pissed off. But definitely not hugging me. What was this madness?!

"I think so," I responded, hugging him back finally. I mean, hopefully that's what Douglas was trying to accomplish here.

Crush him while you have the opportunity!

You still don't like him, do you? I asked.

Never will.

Beside us, Adam suddenly cried, "Yahn!"

Leo and I pulled back to see what he was doing. Sure enough, both Yahn and Oly were sitting near the door now as gargoyles. "Way to lock us out, dipshits," Oly grumbled.

Yahn, however, was too busy being picked up by Adam and climbing onto his shoulder with a massive grin. "I didn't think I'd see you again," Adam cooed happily.

While this was happening, I took the time to revert to my normal appearance – wings, ears, eyes, tail, teeth; you get it – and look around. "Is Douglas still here?" I asked.

"Douglas was here?" Adam frowned. "I haven't seen him."

"Me neither," Leo added.

"Maybe he left?" Yahn suggested. "I was supposed to bring you here in the morning, but Douglas might have gone to get us sooner."

"So he's probably on his way back to the alley," I mused.

"If you want, I could go get him," Yahn offered eagerly.

However, I grinned mischievously, my sharp teeth exposed. "How about we let him get there and wonder where we went, since he left us alone?"

"I second this idea!" Oly declared, holding her hand up. Anything to mess with her master, I supposed.

"I move to let Douglas figure out Chase's location on his own to get revenge for leaving Chase alone in the first place," Leo declared formally, as it this was a meeting of the minds. "All in favor?"

"Aye!" Oly and I instantly responded.

"Nay!" Yahn said, crossing his arms.

"There's a horse!?" Adam asked, his eyes lighting up eagerly.

"Motion passes," Leo confirmed, bringing his fist down on his open palm like he was banging a gavel.

At least it's something fun, my voice added.

I agreed. He'd probably think that I was taken – and possibly killed – by Krane.

See if he ever leaves me alone again.

Wait, was that mean?

Nah. He'll be fine.

"Anxiety Girl: Able to jump to the worst conclusion in a single bound!"

Unknown

"If assholes could fly, this place would be an airport."

Unknown

Douglas

They're gone!

They're gone, they're gone, they're gone –

Stop! He told himself forcefully. Panicking wouldn't help.

Then where were Chase, Oly, and Yahn?

He left them right here.

Yahn was supposed to be guarding!

"Chasey?" Douglas called out. Maybe the kid was hiding? He could be a sneaky bugger when he wanted to be. When no response came, he ground his teeth. "Oly, Yahn: Come here."

No one came to him, despite his orders.

So they were really gone.

Douglas immediately thought of Jasper. Wait…no, it couldn't be him. There wasn't any blood or signs of a fight. So Krane popped up in his mind. The guy could geo leap. What was to stop him from showing up, grabbing them and leaping away?

Douglas had to swallow down more panic. He needed to find them. Now.

Spinning on his heel in a brief bout of agility – seriously, he hadn't been able to do that in a couple of years – he took off at a run towards Donald's house again. Maybe he could summon them and get them out of there. Surely Donnie would make an exception to the "no summoning" rule for such a situation? It was kind of desperate.

Running past cars, street lights, random buildings and houses as he passed into the residential areas, he actually growled. This is taking too long! Running a mile only took a few minutes – maybe fifteen, at the most – but it was bad when every second counted. With mounting frustration and fear, he actually cried out in relief when the titanium gates he'd left behind not thirty minutes before came into view. Luckily for him, the gate was actually still opened – thank you, Donnie! – and allowed him the express pleasure of bolting up the driveway like a mad man. Not even bothering to knock, he just threw the door open.

And froze in shock at what he saw.

Leo and Adam were playing some kind of video game, not even acknowledging Douglas' entrance other than to mumble greetings. Yahn was on Adam's shoulder, asking questions about the game that both were explaining. Oly was lying flat on her back on the back of the couch, tongue hanging out of her slightly-open beak as she snored a bit, obviously sleeping while Chase was frowning in a mirror, poking his ripped ear as he finally saw it for the first time.

They were here.

They were safe.

"What the hell?" He found himself asking, suddenly aware of how hard he was breathing, how badly he was shaking, how much his ribs were throbbing as the adrenaline that had deadened the pain in his chest and had given him a burst of energy drained away.

Chase didn't look at him. "Police found me," he answered casually, as if it was no big deal that he had just fucking vanished. "Got them to bring me here."

"I….I thought…." Douglas stammered a bit.

"You're letting the flies in," Leo protested absently.

Suddenly realizing that the door was still opened, Douglas sighed and closed it. When he turned around to face them again, he actually jumped a bit. Chase had suddenly appeared by his side, his ears pinned. "Any reason why you left me out there?" he asked.

Douglas opened and closed his mouth noiselessly a few times, no doubt looking like a fish. Where he had been able to defend the action to Donald earlier, he was drawing a blank now.

Chase saved him from needing to find a justification, though. "Don't do that shit. I don't want to be on my own again."

After a second – after it sunk in that Chase, Oly and Yahn had actually pulled a cruel, cruel prank on him; something he himself would have done in the same situation – Douglas let out a bubbly, breathy laugh of relief and pulled Chase into a tight hug. "Fucking smart - assed asshole," he muttered, making sure to flick Chase's ear.

As Chase let out a loud hiss of protest, Douglas just grinned.

Chase can be so mean sometimes. :D

Anyways, that was Chapter Sixteen!

And everybody's home now! Yippee!

Again, special thanks to DisneyXDGirl for inspiring Chase's inner Douglas to act. :3 It was fun to write.

See, people? Don't be afraid to suggest things. They might happen! :D

Feel free to review. Or don't. :P Do whatever you feel like.

And remember: Don't whine at other reviewers, no matter what they say (yes, I mean everybody vs. KAB, who isn't bothering me at all). That becomes tedious to read.

Oh. My. God. I just realized something! KickandBelli is an snarky as Oly and Eddy! They teamed up! :O The Hybrid universe is real! Everyone take cover! (You'll never be able to un-see KAB as either Oly or Eddy again. :D You're welcome.)

And enjoy.

*Bows and exits*