"Hey, Mr. Upper-class-men sir, I've got a new wrestling move to try on you!" Julie declared, hopping up and down in front of him. "I'm calling it the super-slam-a-jammy-whammy. Can I try it on you? Puh-lease? I promise to go easy."
Harry eyed her with grade A disgust.
"Right, right man, hunka-hunka burn'en love," TK directed from across the room, where he was patiently teaching an affable Richie the fifth to moon walk. They almost walked backwards right into Jake, who, of course, took it as a personal offense.
"Easy, man." Elliot cautioned, lowering Jake's suddenly raised blade. "Let's not have any more decapitating, all right?"
Emm snored peacefully on the sofa, foot twitching.
"Hannah! I have something to show you!" Luke said, slipping through the HQ door, holding something behind his back.
Upon recognizing the voice, Hannah looked up from her customary spot in the back, shadowy corner, to gaze at Luke coolly. "I told you. I'm not going to converse with you further. You got in the way of my battle, and … and... And besides, I'm sick and tired of you asking me to play go fish with you, even if we are betting potato chips."
"I found this in an empty classroom!" Luke continued, revealing a small, worn teddy bear, with one ear and several rips. Hannah gasped.
She immediately reached for it, and gently clasped it to her chest, stuttering to herself. "He's so handsome," she gushed, leaning her cheek down to rest on it, and rocking slightly. She quickly stopped, and straightened, still cradling the bear.
Luke gave her a shy, awkward smile. "You can have it, if you want. I thought you'd like it."
"Oh… um, thank you. I suppose."
"Fine! I see you don't desire to help a young girl pursue her dreams!" Julie pouted, flouncing away.
Harry sighed. "Aw geez, what's going on… Is this kindergarten? It seems like all of our new members are nothing but brats."
From beside him on the couch, Albert snapped his book closed with a thump. "Excuse me… but were you referring to me? I'll have you know, I am God!"
Harry chuckled, rolling his eyes non chalantly. "Aw, please. Are you still going on about that nonsense? And there you were, hugging Mike, crying like a baby. Course, then Winnie came over and shot you in the head, she was so ticked off-"
"Who did you say cried?" Albert hissed, his face crossing the feet between them in a matter of milliseconds. Harry yipped in shock as the Student Body President's large, luminous eyes suddenly filled his vision, like a cobra's stare.
"Come now… realize how useless you are, compared to… clothespins. Understand your true inferiority, compared to the wonderful clothespin…."
Harry broke out into a cold sweat. Something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye, and his vision zoomed in on the table in front of him. Lying there, winking at him, a Hello-Kitty clothespin held majestic domain.
Harry's eyes went as wide as doorknobs, his teeth started chattering. "Clothes… pins… pin, things together, they keep clothes from falling on-the-ground-and-getting dirty! They can even be used as paperclips, THEY'RE SO VERSATILE! WHAT AM I IN COMPARISON, I'M NOT WORTHY TO CONTEMPLATE THEIR BEAUTY…"
As Harry crumpled into a gargling mass on the sofa, a strong hand abruptly lifted Albert up by his collar, and brought him up to eye level.
"Hey man, you can't abuse hypnotism like that," Mike chastised.
"But, but, he started it! I was just trying to end it peacefully, and…
Mike rolled his eyes, and pointed at Harry, who was now in the fetal position. "I wouldn't call that peaceful."
The door opened behind them, and Winnie poked her head out. "Hey, Mike- and Albert, you too. I need to talk to you both for a moment.
She led them through the sun-basked hallway, and into an abandoned teacher's lounge. Mike looked around curiously as they entered; all that was left here was a bunch of empty filing cabinets, and one long, gnarled wooden table. "What's going on?"
"First of all Albert, I want you to tell me how you got possession of that cannon, as well as the door that was used to contain Angel." Winnie's gaze shot daggers into the boy. "Both were highly unusual. Neither was made with the normal substance of created material. They were made with the same substance as Angel's blades."
Albert paled. "Um… what would happen if I said I don't know?"
Winnie's hand came to rest on her weapon's holster.
Albert gulped, and reflexively inched toward Mike. "No, I'm being serious… please, you have to believe me.
"They all just showed up. First was the book of hypnotism. I had woken up, like all the rest of you, but well… I'm really not the best at talking to people. Rather than announce myself to the Battlefront, I hid among the NPC's, and, well, you know. I got a little angry after a while."
"The book just showed up one morning, at the foot of my bed. I possess superior intelligence; I got the technique down in weeks."
Albers eyes narrowed. "Though, to be honest, I doubt it would work as effectively in the real world. In this world, people's emotions are more susceptible."
"Anyway, once I mastered the technique… I found something on the last page, a quote. "The only true power is the power to protect oneself, to be one's own God." It started me thinking about how I could change things to my favor. After that, I found the prison room, with the door. And then, once you all drove Angel out of power, I was free. She was the only thing that had held me in check. Without having to deal with God's little soldier, I could put my plans in motion. It was at that point that I found the cannon, just waiting by the river."
Winnie massaged her temple. "You're telling me all of these tools just appeared? Like gifts from the super-villain fairy?"
Albert huffed. "That's hardly a kind remark. And yes, at the time I did find it suspicious, but to useful to think much on. In hindsight… it appears I was played."
Mike drummed the table. What the… "Winnie, what do you think-"
"It's all right, Mike. We'll deal with this later. There's something more important that we need to get to."
"Albert," Winnie asked, turning to face them, hands on hips. "I want you to use your abilities to restore Michael's memories."
Albert jerked. "What? I'm the Student Body President, don't tell me what to do-"
Mike nudged him. "Just role with it, dude, Winnie's a great leader. Following her advice generally leads to-"he trailed off, and his eyes bugged out. "Wait a darn minute! You're going to do what?"
She pursed her lips. "Albert's hypnotic abilities are authentic. I'm pretty sure that he'll be able to restore your memories, Mike."
Albert nodded. "Okay… I agree, if it's to help Michael."
"But, but, what if I don't want him to?
Winnie blinked at him in confused irritation. "What, you want to stay an amnesiac forever? And besides…" She lowered her gaze, as her voice softened. "You said it yourself. Our memories are part of who we are. I understand you've been feeling a little confused, and not quite sure really… just who you are. Balderdash, in my opinion. You're Mike, the most corny, goofy, useless-in-a-fight sentimental moron I've ever known. But… I want you to remember your life. I think you deserve it."
He hesitated. It was true; he desperately wanted to remember his past. By now, he remembered most things about the normal world, which football team played for New York, what an electron was, who killed Dumbledore. But to know his own life… maybe then he could better understand what his friends had gone through.
His friends… that was just it. What if, once he remembered… He disappeared? Would there be nothing to tether him here?
I like it here, he realized. I really like being with the Battlefront, they've all become so special to me. I don't want to leave them…
"Mike?" Winnie questioned.
He swallowed. "All right. Fine."
Albert stepped toward him. "Mike, I just want you to know… that whatever happens, I'll always be with you." He took Mike's shaking hand, and gazed up into Mike's face. "I'll always be on your side."
The seconds ticked by. Mike gazed back, unsure how to respond. "Please say something," Albert pleaded, smiling painfully. "This is really awkward, right now."
"Well, you know, however you end up on the other end, I'll still be your ally," Winnie muttered, trying to appear unconcerned. "Not going to leave you behind."
He smiled at her. "Thanks, Winnie. It's good to know."
"What, why, what's the difference between her and… I don't even… Alright, fine, whatever. Let's go."
They both took seats at the gnarled table. Mike felt the unshaven prickles of wood bit into his hands as he laid them down. Across the table, Albert gazed at him. "All right. I'm going to begin… Now." And his eyes grew and grew, until-