A/N: Alright, so I'm going to change the rating of this fic to M to be safe. It's going to be pretty grisly, and this chapter is an indicator of that. I appreciate the support, reviews, and subscriptions. Thank you!

-LiviLu


I'm so close. He thought, One quick swipe, right across the throat. Quick. Fairly painless. Not that she deserves that. He watched the little brown-haired girl stab a marshmallow on a wooden stick and then briefly dance around the bonfire before her mother grabbed her gently. She'll be the easiest to pick off. He ran his thumb over the blade of his freshly-sharpened cyberknife and drew a bit of blood. He stuck the cut appendage into his mouth and continued to watch the scene intently.

The squad's cybird friend had shown up a few minutes ago and that somehow increased his anger tenfold.

They shouldn't have allies. The mindless sheep here worship them, even after all they've done.

The sun-o-sphere was dimming in the distance and soon the artificial night would engulf the cybersite. And then, under dozens of twinkling stars, his plan would come to fruition.


"I'm gonna have six s'mores!" Lauren said, her little mouth full of marshmallow and graham crackers.

"Mmm… let's cut it down to two. We don't need you bouncing off the walls all night." Matt said, making himself a s'more. His daughter pouted slightly but continued swinging from side to side as she consumed her treat. .

"I think you're too late, Matt." Coop noted with a chuckle. Jackie rested her head on Slider's shoulder, slightly exhausted. After lunch they'd gone for a long walk on one of Solaria's acclaimed beaches, looking for seashells. The sun-o-sphere had dimmed completely, leaving the group in complete darkness, save for the bonfire and stars. Jackie allowed herself to relax completely, all of the stress she'd carried with her on vacation melting away at last. Back at home, in the real world, there were deadlines and a grouchy boss. Thankfully her three week's vacation there equated to about two cybermonths. That gave her plenty of time to unwind, but there was still something heavy in the back of her mind. She forced it back as it tried to sneak into the front, picking up a marshmallow stick and impaling one.

"Well, earthlies, you know you've gotta tell me. What's going on in your world?" Digit piped up.

"Well, Lauren started kindergarten a few months ago." Inez said. The cybird's mouth fell open slightly.

"Already?"

"That's what I said." Coop remarked.

"And? How is it?" Digit asked the girl.

"It's boring." Lauren said bluntly, and everyone laughed. "But I tell everyone about here." The girl continued.

"She's telling people about Cyberspace?" Digit exclaimed, "Zoiks! We might see an increase in tourism."

"I think that's ultimately up to Motherboard, and I don't think she's going to bring any more humans here." Slider said, "...Unless they… you know, stumble across it. But I don't know how that would happen." He exchanged glances with his father.

"Here, Didge, want some graham crackers?" Jackie picked up an unopened pack.

"Sure, Jax."

"Okay. Come grab them from me. Right out of my hand."

"Well, I don't see why I wouldn't?" The cybird looked at her skeptically.

"Here." Jackie removed all but one of her fingers as Digit reached out.

"What are you-" Digit started. Jackie just grinned, waiting for her friend to catch on. "Wait a second…" He said, ruffling his graying purple wings slightly. "It's a ring! I knew that!"

Everyone laughed again.

"Is it a cyberstone…?" The cybird asked. Slider shook his head.

"As much as I'd like to… cyberstones are very unique-looking. There's nothing on earth that matches them. We're… keeping a low profile on earth. You know, normal." He said.

"Ah. I see." Digit nodded.

"I wanna go swimming again!" Lauren piped up.

"Lauren, it's dark now. It's time to enjoy the fire." Her father said.

"Just ten more minutes! Pleeeeeeasssssssse?" Lauren pleaded.

"I can take her, no problem." Digit said.

Inez and Matt exchanged glances.

"Well… okay. But just for ten minutes. Fifteen tops." Inez decided.

"Yay!" Lauren grabbed Digit's wing and then her towel from her mother's beach bag.

"You know, maybe I'll go too. Just to dip my feet in the water." Jackie said, "Plus Digit might need help."

"With this one? What are you talking abo- WHOA!"

Lauren yanked Digit's wing and Jackie giggled as she stood up.

"Be back soon, guys."

The trio made their way back to the silent pool area and that feeling of unease crept up Jackie's spine again. She sat on the edge of the pool and dipped her feet in, savoring the feeling of the cool water.

"Whoops. I forgot my water wings!" Lauren exclaimed just as she walked onto the pool steps. She was off like a shot before Digit or Jackie could stop her. The young woman was about to intervene, but she knew that she could trust her longtime companion. Besides, it was only a three-minute walk. She turned her focus back to her manicured toes, which were painted a bright blue. Crickets, or at least Cyberspace's variation of them, chirped all around her. A perfect Summer night on a perfect Summer cybersite. But Jackie kicked her feet in the water slightly, an anxious energy suddenly overtaking her.

I should have gone with them. Oh well, too late now.

She tried to focus on the stars above, which seemed to twinkle brighter than their earthly counterparts.

It wouldn't be so bad to live here. She thought, But how the hell would I explain THAT to my family? Gee, mom and dad, I don't actually have an apartment here on earth anymore. I'm living in another dimension entirely! The thought of that conversation made her giggle softly. Things are fine the way they are. There were footsteps behind her, but they didn't sound like the little pitter-patter of Lauren's feet. They were much heavier. She turned her head but didn't see anybody. She listened intently- there was only the crickets.

Probably just a random cyborg. She kicked her feet again and tapped the ceramic tiles on either side of her.

Lauren and Didge will be back in just a minute. It's fine.


He gazed at her from behind the group of shut beach umbrellas.

All alone. Vulnerable.

He had hoped to pick off the child first, but this opportunity literally glimmered in the darkness. He gripped the handle of the knife in his gloved hands, that feeling of contempt creeping into his thoughts once again.

If there's one thing I know about you, Jacqueline, it's that you can't swim.

He took a step forward, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

You especially can't swim when your throat is slit open.

Jackie kicked her legs again, her neck craned upwards. Some of her relaxer-treated black hair had escaped her bun and was hanging down her back.

You're mine. ALL mine. He darted behind a pair of umbrellas that were directly behind her. His heart started to pound and adrenaline started flowing from his brain down to his extremities. It pushed him forward, and he did it. It happened in a few short seconds, with a few quick movements. Her scream lingered in the humid air as the knife slid across her throat. He immediately shoved her into the water face-first, watching as the tranquil blue water around her turned crimson. It didn't take long for bubbles to stop coming to the surface and he relaxed.

You did PERFECT. Justice. Justice is served! His subconscious cheered as Jackie sunk into the shallows of the pool. Relief and euphoria flooded through him as he fled the scene, his boots heavy on the adobe pavement.


"Was that Jax?" Matt stood up, alert and wide-eyed.

"I think it was." Inez replied, standing up as well. Lauren and Digit rushed down the path to the beach.

"Didge, did you hear-"

"I did, right as we were getting back here." The cybird said.

"Maybe she saw a bug." Matt suggested helpfully, "There are all sorts of weird bugs around here."

"I don't think so. I've never heard her scream like that." Slider stood up. "We should go and find her. She might be in big trouble."

"Agreed. Didge, Lauren, you stay here." Inez said.

"But I want to go swimming!" Lauren pouted.

"We have to make sure Auntie Jackie's okay first." Inez had a sinking feeling, but she tried to fight it. Matt's right. She probably just saw some big bug.

"Let's go." Slider gestured for his friends and father to follow him.

"Right behind ya." Coop said.

Inez rushed forward and grabbed Matt's arm, that sinking feeling turning into pure dread.


Oh my, what an interesting development. Wicked thought to herself, staring into the depths of the pool. I always thought something would catch up to them, but I always hoped it'd be Hackie. Jacqueline's friends would be coming at any moment, but her pointed boots remained glued to the pavement. She was simply stunned.

"Hey!"

Wicked calmly turned around at the sound of Matthew's voice. The group stopped in their tracks upon catching sight of the witch.

"Wicked!" Slider and Inez exclaimed together. Wicked couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face.

"Hello. It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

"What did you do to Jackie?" Slider demanded, taking a step forward.

"Contrary to what it looks like, I did not harm Jacqueline."

"What happened?" Slider took another step forward but Wicked moved in front of him.

"Slider, honey, you really don't want to see what became of her." That grin was still plastered on her face; unwavering, condescending. He shoved her to the side with a growl, which then turned into an incomprehensible shout.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Matt shoved Wicked as well before joining his companion on the edge of the pool. "SHIT!"

Slider made quick work of getting Jackie's lifeless body out of the pool despite his shock. He stood there, hyperventilating.

"Told you it wasn't pleasant." Wicked said nonchalantly.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?" Inez screamed.

"I didn't do anything, kiddo. It seems as though you've made another enemy. Not surprising, really. Now, if you'll excuse me-" The witch attempted to walk away but Coop grabbed her arm.

"You're not going anywhere." The cyborg's voice was calm but there was a hint of shakiness.

"Keep me as long as you want. I didn't do a thing." Wicked sneered, "But Jacqueline obviously deserved what she got."

Coop grabbed her shoulders and gritted his teeth.

"You're going to tell me exactly who did this."

"I wish I knew! It was a beautifully dastardly act." Wicked laughed lightly. "You can look at the security cameras if you wish, but…" She reached into the pocket of her cloak and retrieved her wand, waving it slightly. There was the sound of electronic fizzling as the three security cameras placed around the pool area fell to the pavement.

"...You may find the footage… corrupted." She burst into laughter again and Coop released her with a growl.

"You won't get away with this!" Matt snapped, "We know it was you. Why else would you destroy the evidence?"

"Simply because I appreciate the real suspect's handiwork. Never in a million years could I have come up with something so dastardly!" Wicked turned around, her cape twirling around her body. "If I were you, I'd watch your back. And that darling little girl's, while you're at it." With that, the witch strutted away, laughing to herself. Slider was on his knees, Jackie's head resting in his lap.

"Who else could have done this?!" Inez choked, several tears running down her cheeks.

"I don't know," Matt said, "But I'll bet anything he has something to do with it."

"...I don't think so. I think it's someone else entirely." Coop remarked, kneeling next to his son and putting a hand on his back.

"She's dead. She's gone." The young cyborg choked. There was a heavy beat of silence.

"...Maybe not." Coop said finally.

"What?!" Slider exclaimed hysterically. His father stood up and stared straight ahead.

"There is something we can try. I can't guarantee it will work, but it's absolutelyworth a shot."

Matt, Inez, and Slider all exchanged glances.

"We'll bring her back to Control Central, to Doctor Marbles. Come on." Coop said. Matt slowly pulled out his squackpad.

"...Motherboard, we need a portal. Now."


"Did you get the girl or not?" Hacker snapped. Wicked calmly sat on the foot of his bed, that satisfied smirk on her face.

"No, but there's been a new development, Hackie. Quite an interesting one."

"Well, out with it! Don't waste any more of my time!" The villain growled weakly.

"Jacqueline… she's no longer in the realm of the living."

"What? That miserable earth brat is dead? That is wonderful news! I've always hated her the most. So vain, so whiny…"

"Yes, Hackie, but… she may not be gone." The smile faded from Wicked's face at last.

"What?"

"Before I left, I overheard Coop saying that there was something they could try. And if it's what I'm thinking… well…" She was pleasantly surprised to see a large grin cross Hacker's face.

"No. They're not going to try…?"

"They are. And, if we play our cards right-"

"Yes. It's perfect." Hacker laughed quietly at first, but it quickly crescendoed into something wonderfully boisterous. "In the meantime… see if you can find out who has committed such an amazing feat."

"Yes, Hackie! I will find out and I will bring them to you! Along with the girl." Wicked laughed. Hacker sat up in bed despite his immense fatigue, somehow feeling rejuvenated.

"Everything will start to fall into place again, I'm sure of it."


A/N: Any and all engagements are appreciated!