What's this? Two chapters in one DAY? Absolutely amazing, isn't it? Well, I told you that I would see you soon. Lol. So I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's short, but the double post will hopefully make up for it.

Song of the chapter: Whisper by Evanescence

2 Days Until Destruction

Time: 10:35

Location: Jerome's Treehouse

Dealox turned, only to stare into the blue-grey eyes of the animal. Sharp claws gleamed in the moonlight that filtered in through the window. "Sky…" Ty breathed, putting all his fear, disappointment, and betrayal into that one name. He closed his eyes shut as the claws swiped down.

Crimson splashed down onto the floorboards.

Time: 10:34

Sky slammed the door open, glancing around the inside of the redwood tree Jerome called home. He wasted no time in answering the exclamations of surprise from the group-instead quickly scouting the room. The animal wasn't there. Sky cursed and ran towards the kitchen, where Ty had just turned around and was staring at the animal, who up until then had been parading around as Sky. The claws raised started coming down, as if in slow motion. Sky jumped forward, holding himself out instead of Deadlox.

Blood splattered the floor. Sky hissed as his arm was cut open, but the plating on his armor* took the brunt of the damage. He was glad that he had his suit on; it would help in the battle that was sure to come.

He smirked at the animal's surprise. "You can't get rid of me that easily, you know."

"Sky?"

The two look-alikes turned to Deadlox. The real Sky winked, golden-brown eyes sparkling. The animal sneered at the teen then shoved Sky away. The butter lover grinned cockily, unsheathing his sword. "This's gone on for too long," he said, smirk never leaving his face. The animal nodded, eyes narrowing as they flicked over to the window. There wasn't enough room to fight in here. He grinned and ran at Sky, claws shining. He faked a swipe to the right as he jumped to the left and out the window, claws leaving four deep gashes in the wooden frame. Sky cursed and ran out of the kitchen, but was stopped by Dawn.

"Is that really you, Sky?" she asked doubtfully, multicolored eyes swimming with uncertainty. Sky kissed her, pulling her into a short hug before running past her and out the main door of the tree. She turned to watch him go, knowing that he was here, and that he would finish what the animal started.

The animal swung through the branches, tentacles ripping through the fabric of his jacket so they could support his weight when he jumped from branch to branch. Sky was climbing the ladder that ran to the very top of the tree. Eventually, the two stopped at the very top.

The two doppelgängers glared at each other, one with a confident smirk and one with an annoyed scowl. The wind whistled and the leaves rustled with the wind's song, a quiet lullaby that tried to calm the two. They stood like that for a moment then charged at each other. Sky raised his butter sword, a war cry ripping from his lips. The animal clicked his claws and silently ran at his double.

Their weapons clashed together but were ripped apart soon after, only to meet again. The battle continued, both ducking and dodging each other's attacks as they waited for the other to finally give out.

Sky's smirk had faded as they fought. The animal, even though Sky didn't want to admit it, was a challenge. But the animal thought the same. They were evenly matched, no matter how many parries or slashes they sent at each other. But what both of them noticed was that the animal was slowly pushing Sky backwards, towards the edge of the tree. A cold drop of sweat ran down the back of Sky's neck, making him shiver. If the animal pushed him off the edge, he was done for. Nobody could survive a fall from hundreds of feet in the air.

Even with the looming threat of falling, Sky continued to give the battle all he had. His body ached for a moment of rest, but he pushed on anyway. He couldn't fail everyone. Not now, not ever. As he once again blocked a swipe, the animal leaned in close. "Sky, Sky… Haven't I told you that I'm a squid? You seem to forget that."

Before Sky's brain could fully register what was happening, a tentacle swung around and pushed him over the edge of the tree.

His chocolate-golden eyes widened, arms flailing through the air as he tumbled backwards. The animal smirked at Sky, skin deepening to a grey-blue. "Goodbye, Sky. Have a nice trip."

Sky scowled and turned, reaching forward and grabbing one of the animal's tentacles that was waving triumphantly in the air. "See you next fall!"

Then they were both tumbling down through the air.

Flashback – Jordan

"Mama," a young boy sniffled, "Mama, wakey wakey." The five-year-old sniffed again, futilely blinking back tears. "Please, Mama. Wakey up."

A hand touched his shoulder, and he flinched away. He turned to his father, pale eyes wide. His father had burned her, and now she wasn't waking up. The demon he called a dad turned away and started walking back to the glowing portal, throwing a careless insult at the boy's dead mother.

The boy sniffed and looked back at his mother. He knew his dad wanted him to follow, but he refused to leave his mother's side. He turned back to his mother. "Mama, please. Wakey wakey up…"

His father grabbed his wrist. "I told you to follow."

"Mama!" The boy screamed, struggling to get back to his mother's body. "Mama, no!" He felt something in his chest shatter as he was dragged away from her. All he wanted was her comfort. He didn't get why his father had made the flames sweep around his mother in a death dance. He remembered very clearly how she had screamed. Now all he wanted was her, alive, keeping the sobs that bubbled in his throat calm. "Mama, come back!" He sobbed, struggling against his dad as he was dragged into the portal.

"Come back…."