Jack grabbed some items in front of a picture of his friends. He put down his backpack and started stocking things up. He still couldn't stopped thinking about the King Wretch, like when he threw down Rover to injure him. He grabbed some things off a desk, and then he remembered the King Wretch giving him nightmares. He looked at his scar again, having another illusion of the monster that had been haunting him. He stepped out of the treehouse, looking out to Wakefield. He then took a deep breath, and stumbled. Rover looked up as he fell into a lawn chair, getting stuck into it.

"I gotta head out for awhile, boy," He informed, pulling himself out. "To do some errands. Violent errands," He grinned while trying to look cool. Rover pulled him back by the collar, putting him back in the treehouse. Clearly, he was worried for Jack and didn't want anything to happen to him out there alone. "Hey, boy, I gotta. They don't call me 'Jack the Maniac' for nothin'."

"Nobody calls you that!" June called out from inside, somehow able to hear him.

"Yeah, because it's lame!" May added in. Jack then leaned in towards Rover so that no one could hear him.

"Remember when we were mapping the town and I said we can't let any more evil beings, like Thrull, sprout up under our noses?" He scratched underneath Rover's chin. Rover barked and nodded at him. "Well, just what I didn't want to happen has happened," He rubbed the back of his neck. "This King Wretch is in my head. And it's time I found out why." He was about to leave when June popped up out of nowhere.

"Jack!" She shouted and he stumbled back, getting stuck in the lawn chair again. Rover and June both flinched as they watched. And just when she thought it was over, he was still getting stuck and she pinched her nose.

"June! What the huh?!" He demanded as his butt was sticking out.

"Come on!" She grabbed his arm, pulling him back into the treehouse.

"Uhh, actually, I can't. I've got a-"

"Just come on!" She pulled him inside, though he was still stuck in the chair. Then the chair was thrown to Rover as June got him out. "Now that we've got the antenna, we could have a working radio any minute," She gushed while they watched May and Quint work.

"We'll, we've been at it all night and there's still a lot of work to-"

"We're this close to making contact with other people!" June interrupted happily, clasping her hands.

"Not what I said," Quint deadpanned at her.

"Plus, this is really old tech. We don't know how long it will take," May let out a small yawn.

"Uhh, that's great, June, but I need to tell you something," Jack spoke up, reaching out to her. She then gasped, as she wasn't paying attention.

"What if there's a rescue party, with tanks, and blimps, and dancing to soda?" She gushed, smiling with her hands on her hips.

"June? Do you think a rescue party is an actual party?" Quint questioned in confusion while staring at the girl.

"And even if there is a rescue party, I don't think they'd have access to blimps or tanks..." May shook her head slowly.

"It will be!" She winked and then cheered while dancing.

"Hey! Earth to June!" Jack exclaimed to her, as she was being way too cheery about the whole thing. "There's more going on right now than just that radio!" She flinched and then glared, gesturing to herself.

"Not to me," She made it very clear to him.

"Oh..." Jack recoiled back, clenching his fists. "Okay, if that's how you feel," He stated and then left. May winced at how awkward that was to watch...

"So, you done yet?" June smiled widely while turning to the two. Quint looked annoyed as he dropped the screwdriver. May then sighed slowly, pinching her nose. What they could really use right now is sleep, but no...

"All right," Jack said to himself while leaving. "Time to find that King Wretch and face my fears." He opened the door to see Skaelka waving her ax above her head. He screamed and fell to the ground, confusing her. "Gah! Why do people keep doing that?!"

"Ah, Jack, the puny human," She greeted while stepping inside.

"Jack the Maniac. Man-I-ac!" He emphasized and then growled in annoyance.

"Stop trying to make that a thing! It's not gonna happen," May called out from upstairs and Jack gave a blank look.

"I look for your companion, Dirk," Skaelka explained to him.

"What, with your ax raised and ready to swing?" He gestured wildly and stood up.

"My ax is always raised and ready to swing," She replied back with a smile.

"Well, Dirk's not here, and neither am I," He walked past the monster.

"Oh, you're gonna do hilarious Jack fun and games, yes?" She wondered while turning to the boy.

"No," He answered her seriously. "Not this time," He stepped down the ladder and she used her ax to scratch her head in confusion. Bardle floated to meditate in front of a car, Globlet lifting up a dart. Chef took it from her.

"I like my darts like I like my pizza—fast and pointy," He threw the monster dart at the door, only for Dirk to open it.

"Hey!" He shouted as he was not happy, the thing landing on the table. "Funny man! You think it's a riot trying to get me killed?"

"Yeah, it's a real side splitter," Chef shrugged casually while grabbing the dart again. "That's why I did it."

"So, I agree to do the three tasks to prove I'm worthy of monster-hood, right," Dirk started off angrily. "And-and for the second task, this comedy genius says to find a little scrapken at the junkyard."

"Uh-oh," The blue spiked-monster commented up at him.

"Yeah, uh-oh!" He glared up at Chef. "Cause Scrapken is a fifty foot tall gigantor of a monster that nearly obliterated me and my friends! But I did it," He slammed down the photo and Chef just started laughing at him.

"I swear on my mother's left tarknuckle, it was a real test, sunshine. A monster's gotta be ready for the unexpected."

"Well, did you expect this?!" He leapt forward and tackled Chef, fighting with him. The monsters around them pulled them apart.

"You want some of this, sweet cheeks?" Chef egged him on.

"Oh, you wish your cheeks were this sweet!" Dirk pointed to his face, yelling and tryign to get a hit on him, but the monster held him back.

"I'm gonna clean the floor with your intestines!" Chef shouted at the boy.

"That would just make the floor dirtier, jerkweed!"

"ENOUGH!" Globlet shouted at the top of her lungs and they stayed silent.

"Really? That's what stopped you?" Chomper gestured to her in disbelief.

"What can I say? I command a room," She replied confidently to him.

"I'm two for two, slugbutt!" Dirk reminded Chef, the sooner he got the last task, the better. "You got a third task, let's get it over with."

"Oh, oh, yeah, I got a third task, monkey-mouth. This is the face of someone who has a third task," Chef pointed to himself.

"So what is it, dingus?"

"Yeah, yeah, okay, I'll tell you, I'll tell you what it is, right...uh, now," Chef stammered a little bit.

"So tell me!" Dirk egged him on.

"I will!"

"So go ahead and tell me! I'm waiting for you to tell you!" Dirk challenged him angrily.

"Uh...task, uh, number three, uh..." He looked at Ber carrying some monster food and smirked. "Eat like a monster! Ha! Yeah, that's it," He slammed his cleaver into the table.

"Uh-oh," Dirk said in fear while staring at the blade.


Jack looked at a map he drew that had all the monsters on it so that he knew which paths had which ones. He walked down a street.

Jack...

He gasped at the whispered voice, looking across to the subway.

Jack...

He folded the map with a determined look, pulling out his slicer. He stepped forward, some blue vines in the area. He stepped down the stairs, some monster bats flying by. It was dark, the only light coming from above. A door opened from one of the subway cars and a monster crawled out of it. Jack flinched at the noise and turned around just as it disappeared. He stepped in further, looking around the corner in case anything sneaked up on him. As he was searching, the same monster was crawling on the car roof. Jack looked up and gasped.

"I know you! Page 38 of the Bestiary!" He looked at a spider-like creature with glowing yellow eyes and acid dropping from the mouth. "Terror-ranchala! A dozen evil eyes, venom-filled fangs, web-shooting butt sac that defies explanation." The creature jumped down with a snarl and Jack ran off. He rolled to a stop, dropping the slicer. The Terror-ranchala snarled at him again and he stood up, taking his slicer and swinging. He laughed and then the monster used its web to grab his slicer, to his bewilderment. "What the-?! Hey!" He protested as the Terror-ranchala threw it away. It growled at him and he laughed nervously, running off with a scream. He picked up his slicer on the way, running into more webs. He spit them out in disgust while wiping them away, gasping as he looked up and saw a bunch of skulls from the monster's...food. He was slightly confused by a mop, though.

"This was not on my to-do list for today," He said while turning around. "Well, no going back, no going forward," He glanced between the monster and its nest. "That leaves going over!" He ran forward and then jumped on the Terror-ranchala's head, flipping above it and landing safely. He pulled out his slicer again as the monster turned around, only to be smacked in the face by the slicer. The monster landed on its back and Jack smiled, pointing at it. "And that, my multi-legged friend, is how it's done." He walked off confidently...but then the monster shot a web at the ceiling and disappeared. He turned around in confusion, seeing nothing around him.

The Terror-ranchala was right above his head, and he turned around with a scream as it was nearing him. It shot a web at his legs, dragging him away. He whimpered a bit, trying to crawl away, but was lifted up. Suddenly the web was cut and he landed, looking to see who his savior was.

"Skaelka!"

"Jack," She nodded at him, looking up at the monster, who landed next to the boy. "Terror-ranchala." It crawled towards her and she held up her hands, grabbing it by the horns. She wrestled with it a little, laughing and flipping backwards, ripping out the horns. She swept her hands and the monster crawled away in the subway car to retreated. Jack sat up while his legs were still in a web.

"I thought someone was following me," He pointed at her knowingly.

"You did?" She raised a skeptical brow.

"...No, not really," He confirmed in a bit of embarrassment.


June hummed while carrying drinks on a tray. "Hey, Quint, May! No pressure!" She placed the drinks down nearby. "Just brought you guys a super slushie thingie."

"Thanks," May deadpanned as they both knew what she was doing and she took a sip. She handed out the drink to Quint so he could take a sip without lifting a finger.

"Thank you," Quint reluctantly said to June while trying to concentrate.

"Gotta hydrate. Liquids, you know," She sat down on Quint's bed. "Eight glasses a day...I'm just—ah! Excited! You know!"

"We know," Quint said as he placed the cup down...near several slushies that she had brought them.

"Excited, nervous, and worried, too," She paced around, looking out the window while they worked. "What if they're broadcasting, right now? What if it's their last one? What if they're making a last call looking for people before they set out for the big rescue mission? Or worse!" She popped up between them, alarming the two a bit. "What if it's one last call for help? Zombies closing in around them," She took a hold of the telescope. "Ah! And we don't even hear them calling for-!"

Quint slammed his hands on the table, alarming May. "QUIET!" The brunette placed a hand on his shoulder with a small frown.

June turned to him in confusion as he pinched his nose. "Why would they call for quiet?"

"June-"

"I'm calling for quiet!" Quint interrupted May angrily. "You have to chill or I'll never finish!" He panted a little, taking a slushie and having a sip. "You act like we're taking this lightly, but we're not!" He slammed down his cup.

"Quint, maybe I should take over-"

"I just-"

"You're not the only one who misses their family, you know," Quint said, looking at the radio while clenching his fists.

"I know, I-"

"At least you saw your parents on that bus," He interjected again and May's eyes softened. "You know they're alive! I have no idea!" He gripped the radio. "May has no idea where her mom is! Or if her jerk dad is still wanting to make his life better through her! Meanwhile mine could be..." He looked away with tears in his eyes and June placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Quint..." May whispered softly, feeling bad for him. She glanced up at June.

"Just go, June, please."

She looked to her friend, who bit her lip. "I-I really think you should just leave him alone right now," She stammered awkwardly and June silently left. May was about to do so herself while Quint gripped her arm, sniffing.

"May, wait, please stay. I...I need you here," He wiped away his eyes with the back of his sleeve. She smiled comfortingly and hugged him, which he returned.

"It's gonna be okay, Quint. I have no doubt in my mind that your family is alive too."

"We don't know that unless we get the radio fixed...I know how much it means to all of us," He said quietly and she pulled back.

"Of course they're alive. Why wouldn't they try their best to survive for the smartest, driven, and adorable guy I know?" She flinched and blushed deeply at what she said. She backed away while covering her hand with her mouth as he looked at her wide-eyed.

"Did you just call me-"

"You know what? Why don't you take a break with the radio? Get some fresh air or something, I'll be in my room, bye!" She quickly took the radio and ran off. "Why'd I say that? Why'd I say that? Why'd I say that?" She freaked out to herself, but he could still hear her. He stared at her as she left and smiled happily.


Meanwhile, in the kitchen of Joe's Pizza, monsters had gathered around for Dirk. "It's time, time to eat, but your meal is not complete," They started singing while approaching him with plates ready. "Till we have a-"

"No, no, cut it!" Chef stopped them from singing further. "I told you, no musical numbers.

"Yeah, geez, enough stalling. Let's get this over with," Dirk rolled his eyes a little. Chef smirked and then placed down a plate...a plate that looked absolutely disgusting. Dirk gasped and then looked away while gagging. "Oh, you know, actually, I-I'd kinda like to hear how the song ends."


Jack and Skaelka were walking down the subway tunnels together. Admittedly, after she saved him, he decided he would like to have some company. "I know it must seem crazy for me to go out in search of a dangerous monster," He glanced around, staying alert.

"No, this is normal," She spoke up casually.

"I mean, Quint or June would say it's like going out looking for trouble."

"It is literally exactly that," The monster pointed out to Jack. Some purple goo was on some rocks nearby, and they stepped over them. Jack checked the ground and found a horn in goo, sniffing it.

"Ew!"

"It is the stench of evil," Skaelka explained to the boy. They turned to a flight of stairs that had the same goo dripping on it, leading to the outside.

"This is what I came here for," Jack narrowed his eyes.

"Fine, I will slay whatever awaits us," Skaelka smirked while stepping forward.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" He followed after her urgently. "If that's the King Wretch up there, we need a plan."

"Uh, we have a plan," She glanced to her axe and he facepalmed.

"Fine, your ax is the plan, but we need a back-up plan." She held up a tinier ax and gave it to him. "Eh, close enough."


"Oh, come on!" Dirk complained at the plate in front of him. "This isn't food!"

"You wouldn't know good food if it inked in your eye socket," Chef remarked at him. "You wanna be a monster, dingle-flesh, you gotta eat like one."

"Even I wouldn't eat that!" Belly-Buster mocked a little. "And I eat road donuts!" He held up a tire and ate it.

"I know you can do it!" Globlet leaned in towards her friend. "I don't actually think he can do it, but I am very supportive."

"Okay," Dirk took a deep breath. "Okay. I'm sorry, Hurley," He patted his stomach, taking a spoonful and eating it. He ate it and gagged, continuing to eat while wanting to throw up the entire time. Everyone watched and then he was handed a drink, which he downed. "That's it! I did it! I did it!"

"You ate the meal, curly-q. Hope you saved room for dessert," Chef smirked and him and Dirk didn't like the look on his face. He groaned, slurping a worm into his mouth.


May spun a screwdriver in her hand, using some pilers on the radio. She closed the panel and then ran into Quint's room, sliding to a stop. He stood up in alarm as she was panting. "I think I got it," She said with a small smile. Quint gestured to the table and she put it down. He moved the antenna, crossing his fingers.

"Come on, come on..." The radio then came to life and they both gasped. "Yes! Fixed it! O.M. Gosh! It works!" They both hugged each other with a laugh, dancing together. "It works, we fixed it, it works. Gonna hear stuff. Uh-huh. Oh, yeah. Everybody gonna..." They then realized they were alone.

"...Well, don't all thank us at once!" He retorted and May laughed.

"Our friends are otherwise occupied, remember? Let's see if we can find them."

"Jack? Dirk?" He then sighed at the last person he hadn't said yet. "June? We stay up all night and half of today and nobody even...whatever."

"Quint, relax. We can always just tell them later," May shrugged it off.

"Thanks for letting me take a break and finishing the radio," He smiled gratefully at her and she nodded with a smile.

"Course. We're friends, aren't we?"

"...Yeah," Quint said awkwardly, remembering what she said earlier. But for her sake, he wasn't gonna bring it up. He stretched and then looked out the window. "No rest for the wickedly talented anymore," He spun a wheel that was full of chores. "Better check my 72 other projects."

"What? Quint-" Before May could protest, he took off the wheel and left. She sighed slowly, pinching her nose.

"I need to have a serious talk with him about all these chores one day," She murmured while leaving as well. She walked past her room and flinched. She then looked back as the letter from her father was still on her desk, unopened. She walked in and took it, taking a deep breath. "Alright, May. If you could fix an old radio, you can handle this, right? ...Maybe?" She shook her head and left with the letter.


Outside, she and Quint walked in separate directions, neither of them seeing June approach the treehouse. She climbed up and went into Quint's lab. "Quint, May, I am so sorry. I never meant-" She the saw the radio working and gasped, lunging forward and taking it. "Oh my gosh! It's working! It's working!" She jumped around happily while hugging the radio. "Come on, come on, come on!"

"Hello," A woman spoke up, but she was breaking up. "Repeat, hello. We are—contact—and hope-"

"Guys! Guys! The radio!" June shouted, looking out the window. "It's-it's the message! Hurry!" She looked around as the message still wasn't clear enough. "Darn it! The signal's too weak in here. Guys! Quint! Dirk! Jack! May! I need help with the radio! Ugh, where is everybody?" She kicked a box in frustration. "Don't they care? This is everything we've been working for!" She growled while shaking the table, leaping forward as the radio was about to fall. She placed it on the bed, placing a blanket over it. She then went back to the table to shake it again, flipping everything off of it.


Chef snapped his fingers, Dirk burping as he was served dessert. He groaned as he wasn't sure his stomach could handle it. He then looked up as Chef lifted up the lid. "Hey, that don't look too bad," Dirk smiled as it looked like some squid. He then sniffed it. "Ah, and it smells great!" He picked up his fork and was about to grab some...when it opened its eyes. He gasped sharply while recoiling back. "It's looking at me!"

"Sure is. And it's gonna keep lookin' till you shove it down your fat human pie hole," Chef explained, gesturing to himself. "Cause in my dimension, this is a delicacy that must be eaten...alive." He chuckled devilishly to Dirk.

"Whoa, hey, I-I don't know about that," Dirk stammered as the creature moved away his fork. "I-It's not just disgusting, it seems, you know, uh, cruel, to-to the dessert." The little monster crawled away, but Chef picked it back up with his spatula.

"Are all humans warthog-sized wusses or is it just you?" He wondered while tossing the creature back onto his plate. "But if it upsets your human sensibilities, then by all means, don't eat it." Dirk sighed in relief after hearing that. "That's it, you all heard it. You heard it, right? He forfeits. Not a monster, never gonna be one," He looked away, arms crossed. Dirk huffed, looking down at the creature that blew a raspberry at him.


Jack snuck around up to the stairs, stepping up. He blocked his eyes from the sunlight, and saw that he was in the main subway station. He continued looking as no one seemed to be there, King Wretch or not. He then heard a growl, breaking the silence. He turned around to see King Wretch crawling out of a hole from upstairs. He yelped in alarm, gripping his slicer.

"Hey! You! Tall, dark, and nasty smelling! I'm here! The kid you keep picking on!" He mocked King Wretch. "And I'm not leaving till I find out why you're dogging me—or wretching me, or whatever you're doing!"

King Wretch screeched in response. "What do you want from me?!" Jack tossed a rock at the monster, which obviously did nothing. The monster shrieked louder this time, tackling the boy to a pillar. He opened his eyes as the monster glared at him. "I'm sorry. Ha ha," He laughed while giving a nervous smile. King Wretch screeched while raising an arm and Jack braced himself. However, instead, King Wretch stated twitching while holding his chest. The car from its chest opened up to reveal blue energy, similar to Jack's scar. "Uh-oh. Oh, no, there better not be 100 little baby wretches that come swarming out of there," He panicked as he did not wanna imagine that.

"Jack..." A female voice called out to him, and he knew who he was too.

"Oh, no. That voice. It can't be!" He panicked, as he recalled meeting her.

"Jack..." She said in the same voice as before from his memory.

"Rezzoch," He spoke knowingly, glaring up at her as she had shown herself to him from the scar on the wretch. "Oh, I thought I was dealing with an overgrown bird with body odor, not you!"

"Yes, I am Rezzoch," She confirmed to him. "You know me, as I know you."

"You don't know anything about me," He growled at her.

"You are the one who felled Blarg, who defeated Thrull, who wounded the mighty creature before you with your weapon," She pointed out to him.

"...Okay, maybe you know a few things about me, b-but what's my favorite color?"

"I have been seeking a pathway into your world," She understandably avoided the question.

"Wrong! Sea foam green. And our world is full up right now. Didn't you see the no vacancy sign?" Jack retorted back to her.

"I have been searching for a host. And when you opened the flesh of this beast..."

Jack leapt forward with his slicer above his head. "I saw an opportunity." Jack sliced open the wretch. "And I took it," Rezzoch entered the wretch with her energy, merging with it. "Your weapon..." The wretch shrieked while its scar was glowing. "The blade that felled my emissary, created an entryway for my energy." The wretch grew out its arms, its wings growing bigger. The wretch crashed into a pillar.

"It's just a baseball bat!" Jack protested at this.

The wretch screeched as it continued transforming, growing its horns. "My intrusion took its toll on this creature." The wretch grew six eyeballs, as well as the two hypnosis eyes on its forehead.

"But it served my purpose," She finished her story.

"Nice bedtime story to tuck in all the little baby Rezzochs at night," He growled a bit at her. "But I'm not in the mood for fairy tales right now. Yah!" He stabbed his slicer against the wretch's arm. The wretch let go while in pain, causing it to drop Jack. He sped off down the hall. "Psych!" As he was running, the wretch flew over and pinned him to the ground. He groaned as Rezzoch turned him onto his back.

"I am not done with you yet, Jack Sullivan," She stated to him eerily.

"You just don't give up, do you!" He retorted back while gritting his teeth. "Well, you should cause I..." He paused as the wretch used its hypnosis eyes on him. "I...oh no, here we go again!" He cried out as his eyes changed.

He saw Wakefield, completely destroyed. He was walking in town, wearing a bandana and looking awful. His clothes were tattered and he was dragging something over his shoulder. Everything around him was crumbled to bits. "Come on, Quint, keep up," He panted out while stepping onto a cliff. "Can't stop now..." He lowered down the rope, looking over his shoulder sadly. "Can't stop ever..." He was actually dragging the CORPSES of his friends! Up ahead was the sun overlooking a desert.

He gasped as he snapped out of it. "No!" He looked away, squeezing his eyes shut. "That isn't real! You're trying to hurt me again!"

"No, I'm trying to help you," She informed the boy. "You humans can only see the present. I show you glimpses of the future."

"Those visions aren't the future. There has to be another way!" He denied angrily, as he refused to believe that all his friends would die and he'd be alone.

"Now you understand. These visions need not come to pass. You could live in peace with your companions. Never alone again..."

"Okay. Good. Better. Keep talking," He spoke up in interest, even though she was the embodiment of evil.

"All you must do is finish what Thrull began. Open the door and bring me into your world," She explained ominously, and his mouth opened in shock. He then reached out a hand...


Dirk was still at the table, surrounded by the monsters. He cringed in disgust while looking at the creature. The little monster whined up at Dirk, hoping that he really wasn't going to eat him. "Eat it," Chef demanded him with a glare.

"Oh, man," Dirk winced at the pressure he was feeling. He could eat the creature, become a monster, and deal with the guilt. And also be disgusted afterwards. Or he could not eat it, and not become a monster, with Chef taunting him for probably the rest of his life.

"Eat it!" Chef demanded a bit more angrily.

"Oh, but-"

"A picture is worth a thousand words. And all those words are eat it!" Chef slammed his hands onto the table.

"Ohhh!" Dirk groaned while feeling some nausea. He reached out to the little monster with his fork, who whined sadly. He then glared up at Chef, stabbing his fork against the table. "No!" The monster squeaked while looking up. "I can't eat a living creature. It's too cruel," He pushed away the plate, crossing his arms.

"Oh, no!" Chef cried out at this. Meanwhile, all the other monsters cheered.

"You passed!" One of the monsters informed him.

"I knew he would! I said so," Globlet bragged a little.

"What?" Dirk was just confused.

"It was a test of your compassion!" One of the monsters informed while laughing a little. Globlet hopped over to him, making a heart with her tentacles.

"You have the heart of a true monster! You passed!" All the monsters cheered again for him while he beamed happily.

"This dimension sucks zombie eggs," Chef huffed while leaving.

"Ha! I did it!" He smiled down at the monster, petting it on the head.


Meanwhile, June was writing a letter on Quint's desk. Hey, guys. She sealed it and walked off. This is harder than I thought, especially since May and I are best friends again. But... She touched the window, looking out. I'm leaving. The radio is fixed, but no one seems to be taking it as seriously as I am. She climbed down the ladder. I looked for you, but everyone is gone. I decided I can't keep waiting. I have to act. She stood up and put the radio in her backpack. I'm taking the radio with me and I'm heading out to higher ground to try to get a better signal. To make contact with other people, and hopefully find my parents. She walked over to the doors, opening them and looking back. Before it's too late. She closed the doors behind her, walking away from what she used to call a home. If I find my mom and dad, or Quint's parents, or even May's mom, or anyone, I'll send help. I was about to write that I'll see you again real soon, but...the way things are in the world right now...

She turned around as she heard a whimper. Rover ran up to her, panting. She smiled and petted him. Guess that's not such a sure thing. She walked away sadly from him, and he let out another whimper. Thanks for...everything. June ran over and hugged him, leaving him behind while covering her eyes. June.

Rover watched sadly as she disappeared. Meanwhile, Quint returned with his chore board done, the same time that May arrived, having opened the letter. "72 tasks complete. I am on top of it today," He stated while the two weren't looking up, and they bumped into each other when going for the ladder.

"Ow!" They looked up and saw each other.

"Oh, sorry, Quint," She said as she looked a bit...unsure. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

"It's okay, I wasn't either," He rubbed the back of his neck, noticing the letter. "I...see you've opened it. What does it say?" He wondered as he let her climb first.

"I'll let you know inside. I don't want anymore people even knowing about it than you right now."

"Is...is he alive?" Quint wondered and she flinched, glancing back down at him with a small frown.


"You know it is the only way," Rezzoch said to Jack. "Keep your friends. Help me cross over, to your world!" He looked up as her tentacles were reaching out to him. He saw several bits and pieces of the wretch's skin peeling off. He smirked as he noticed that the wretch was being worn down a little.

"You know, your new body ain't looking so hot, and I'm not about to let you move into mine," He replied while backing away. "So I think it's time to kick your wretch-y butt," He held his slicer bravely, and Rezzoch just laughed in response.

"Even in its decaying state, the body I inhabit is more than a match for a lone human boy," The wretch stood up, though did twitch a few times. Rezzoch went back inside the scar.

"Who said I was alone? Now!" He shouted and Skaelka jumped down from the ceiling. "And I'm no boy. I'm Jack the Maniac!"

"Puny human!" Skaelka landed in front of him and lunged forward. He did the same and Skaelka attacked first. She swung her ax multiple times, the wretch backing away a bit. She then threw it, managing to catch the wretch off its guard.

"Skaelka!" Jack jumped off her back, and she gave him a boost. He raised his slicer above his head and then stabbed the foot. The wretch screeched in pain as Skaelka lunged forward, only for the creature to knock her into a stone pillar. The wretch pulled out Jack's slicer, shrieking at him. "Oh, boy!" He winced nervously, screaming as the wretch lunged for him. He backed away, hiding behind a pillar as the wretch tried reaching for him. He screamed and ran across the hall. The wretch chased after him, and he panted. He looked up ahead to see one of the pillars cracking, gasping as he had an idea. "Skaelka!" He shouted while running past her. He dashed around the pillar and the wretch bumped into it. The pillar started to break away from its support. "The column!" He pointed up at it and she looked up, seeing it break. "Use your plan!" He held up the tiny axe she gave him earlier.

He used it against the pillar, but it didn't really do much. The wretch moved around the pillar while chasing him, and Skaelka swung her axe forward against the pillar. She screamed as she got it to break, throwing her weapon at Jack. He ducked as she hit the hole, the pillars all falling down towards the wretch. It shrieked in alarm and the roof caved in on the building. They stared at the creature covered in rocks.

"Nice plan, Jack the Maniac!" She complimented, and he glanced between her and the creature. The wretch groaned while being trapped.

"We did it!" He cheered, smirking triumphantly. "So much for the mighty Rezzoch!"

"While you wasted time in battle, I ordered my army to destroy your home and friends," She revealed, to his horror.

"What?" He asked in fear, and all he got in response was a shriek. More wretches came along, all of them heading for the treehouse...