Chapter 16: It Came From The Other Realm

(Cato's POV)

(?)

After Amber left, I fell asleep alone on my hospital bed. Kinda sucks when there's nobody around to say goodnight to. When I opened my eyes, everything around me was red and the floor was black. The first thing I thought was I was dreaming that I was in Persona 4 but it went away when I came upon an open chest.

I looked around it and saw a scratch on the lid of the chest. Then I felt someone tapping me on the shoulder and once I turned around, I had no idea whether I was happy or angry. It was Amber's parents.

Mr. Caeser: Hey, boy. How's the damage going?

Cato: Okay, but you should ask Amber how she's feeling. She's completely heartbroken when Ivan told her what happened.

Mrs. Caeser: I know we messed up but we had to. This job is important but taking Amber away from you? She'll feel worse than she is now.

Cato: What job?

Mr. Caeser: This chest used to contain a dark force sealed away forever. But when we noticed the scratch mark on the lid, it managed to break free and it's headed to Elmore as we speak.

Cato: Why is it always Elmore? Why can't it be anywhere else in the world?

Mr. Caeser: It's a long story. Long ago, there was a battle between the mystical wizards and the dark force. It was too strong to be defeated, so they had to seal it away. And from then on, generation after generation, someone is chosen to prevent it from breaking out. And to answer your question, it's because the dark force was sealed away when it was on the land of what now is Elmore. So, yeah, that's it.

Cato: So you guys left us for a dead-end job that could potentially ruin life as we know it?

Mrs. Caeser: Yes, we know you're upset about us leaving but we had no other choice.

Cato: Do you even know how hard it felt thinking you guys left us? Amber was shattered at first, couldn't stop crying and thinking about you for days. Even if you had to leave, why didn't you tell us?! Leave a note or something! She's your family and you're hers! Why would you do that?!

Cato started tearing up trying to put some senses to Amber's parents on the things they put Amber through for this. Mr. Caeser then puts his hand on his shoulder.

Mr. Caeser: Listen here, son. Do you even know why we left her with you?

Cato: No.

Mr. Caeser: We left her with you because you two got a bright future together. You've always been doing things together at Florida, never breaking apart. Whatever you do, she follows you. So, we did this because we knew we could trust you to take care of her.

Cato: So you actually trusted me to take care of her? Like right from the beginning?

Mr. Caeser: That's the entire point.

Cato: Well, okay then. So what happens now?

Mrs. Caeser: Okay, bad news is the force is heading there right now. Good news is it won't be out of this realm for awhile.

Cato: Okay, what do I do?

Mr. Caeser: Once he gets to Elmore, you'll have to say some ritual words. Amber knows what to say. But she needs to say it five times. That should return it here. We'll take care of the rest.

Cato: So I basically have to do nothing.

Mr. Caeser: Yeah, this is basically all on the ghosts, and possibly Ivan.

Cato: Tell me again what does this "dark force" do?

Mr. Caeser: It's not visible to the human eye. Only ghosts and the residents of the Fifth Dimension can see them. However, it easily manipulates minds of people, giving them somewhat negative vibes and causing them to feel grief, sadness, pain from the inside. Later on, it won't be the one who causes the mayhem, it'll be the people he possessed. Fights, riots, you name it.

Cato: This seems way to out of context.

Mrs. Caeser: That's exactly what your friend said when he found us, but he still believed us.

Cato:Even so, do you have any idea how it got out? I mean, if it was sealed, that means it would stay shut right? Like how it has been for the past who knows how long.

Mrs. Caeser: We don't know for sure, but we're convinced it was the scratch on the lid.

Mr. Caeser: There isn't really much time. You must return and tell Amber all this. Find the dark force and capture it.

Cato: Should I tell Carrie and Kira too? Maybe Ivan as well?

Mr. Caeser: If they can help. Now go. The fate of the world rest on your shoulders.

Cato: Wait, if this really is the last time I'm gonna see you guys, then I wanna ask you something.

(School)

(3rd person POV)

School had just finished and everyone started dashing out of the classroom. As always, Gumball and his friends walked in a group to go hang out.

Gumball: So what time can we get Cato out?

Amber: Probably right now. I should head over there.

Carrie: Okay, me, Gumball, and Darwin are headed to the mall for awhile. See you guys later.

Carrie, Gumball and Darwin left to the mall.

Kelsey: Guess that means the rest of us are going with you, Amber.

Amber: Guess so.

(Joyful Burger, Elmore Mall)

Gumball: So what're we gonna do? Got any plans?

Carrie: No, not really. How 'bout you Darwin?

Darwin: Who cares?

Both Gumball and Carrie looked at Darwin with a confused face and noticed that he was looking sad.

Gumball: What's wrong, buddy?

Darwin: I don't know. I'm just kinda having a rough time all of the sudden.

Carrie: Aw, come on. We're here to have fun. Cheer up a little.

Darwin: Okay, I'll try.

Gumball: Come to think of it, ever noticed that some people looking down today?

Carrie: What makes you say that?

Gumball: Look around you.

They took a look and almost everyone is feeling down. Not everyone, almost everyone. The only people who weren't down was Carrie, Gumball and a few other citizens.

Carrie: I dunno, let's just try to enjoy each other's company for now and have some fun together. Maybe later we can find Amber and the others at the hospital.

Gumball: Yeah, that would be a good idea.

(Hospital)

Amber and the others were heading to Cato's room to release him. As they reached the room, they saw Cato sitting up and looking out the window. They went in and walked to Cato while Lexy and Christine sat on two chairs by the door.

Amber: Hey, Cato. You're awake.

Cato: Hey, guys. You gotta wait a little longer, doc said he'll be out for awhile.

Dante: So you excited to finally get outta here?

Cato: Yeah, it's been too long just for an arm injury.

Ivan: Don't overlook it. Some small injuries can cause even bigger problems.

Cato: Yeah, speaking of problems...

Amber: What is it?

Cato: I found your parents.

Amber: What?

Ivan: You too?

Cato: Yeah, and it's not looking so good.

Amber: What do you mean?

Cato: Ivan, did they mention something in the chest they were guarding?

Ivan: Something about a force that can take out the world, something like that.

Cato: Yeah, that "force" broke out.

Anna: How did it break out?

Cato: I think they said something about a scratch on the lid.

Ivan started having flashbacks on when he found the chest. He put a scratch on the lid and ran around the space to see if he was running in a circle.

Ivan: A scratch..?

Cato: Yes, a scratch.

Ivan: Uhhh...

Dante: What did you do?

Ivan: I may have put the scratch on the chest when I found it that other time.

Amber: What?!

Ivan: I needed to know whether if I was going around in circles or not. Cuz everytime I walk pass the chest, I come across another one. After I put a mark on it, I could tell whether I was going in a circle, which apparently I was.

Cato: Okay, so now we know the cause of it. Now, we need to find it and capture it.

Anna: But where could it be?

Cato: They said only ghosts can see the dark force in its true form, so that means you, me and Dante can't see it.

Ivan: And me?

Cato: Apparently you can too. Something about being a resident of the 5th dimension I think.

Ivan: Why is it always about me being a former resident of the 5th dimension?

Dante: What does that dark force do?

Cato: They say it causes negative vibes like pain and suffering, sadness, maybe jealousy, anger, hate.

Amber: Wait, where's Lexy and CJ?

That's when they started hearing cries behind them. It was both of them crying on the seats.

Dante: Hey, guys. What's wrong with you?

Christine: I just started thinking about my brother and got worried about him. What if he's dead?

Cato: Uh-oh.

Anna: What about you Lexy?

Lexy: I just feel so lonely.

Ivan: What?

Lexy: Why do you guys get a couple but not me. I don't have a boyfriend at all. I'm just really jealous!

Ivan: Hello, me and Anna are still single.

Lexy: Just stop looking at me!

Lexy couldn't control her emotions and got angry at them for staring at her, thus throwing a glass cup at the wall near them as a result.

Cato: This isn't good.

Amber: Why?

Cato: That means it's here.

And that wraps up this chapter. Sorry for the hiatus, got a little too busy this past month. Also sorry for the cheesy parts and cliches in the storyline in this chapter (or for the past few ones at that). But regardless I hope you enjoyed that chapter. Drop a fav and a comment below. And I'll catch with you guys in the next chapter. Peace out!