Chapter 13: Feel the heat?

Rocky was sitting, doing nothing, wishing he was out there helping Lackadaisy with the battle. He didn't want to cause trouble to his friends, but staying here was killing him. He didn't want to stay in depression any longer. He wanted to be free, to run away from all of his emotions, his sadness, his fear. But without Maniac in Rocky, he didn't seem to have the strength.

It was like he was Frozen.

Paralyzed.

He still somewhat existed, but no one-including himself-knew he was there.

Suddenly, the door opened. Rocky hardly looked up. The person walked down the stairs. It was Maniac. He sat down with a sigh next to Rocky. They sat there in silence, looking down before he admitted, "I had to really think, and something had to happen before I truly knew how you felt."

Rocky looked at him. "Huh?"

"Well…I-uh. Well something happened at the battle with Lackadaisy today. And I was left with two sides tearing me apart. I don't even know if what I did was…right."

Rocky gave him a tiny smile. Maniac saw it and instantly turned bright red.

"I'm still evil, you fool! You'll never get your happy-go-lucky smile of my face, you moron!" He said, still red.

Rocky frowned and rolled his eyes. You can never trust Maniac.

Suddenly, the door opened again. The two looked up. Rocky's eyes widened. It was Mizzi!

"Why is she here? I thought I wasn't needed anymore." He thought, a little too sourly.

Maniac stood up. "Mizzi! Are you here to rescue me?" He asked her.

Rocky clenched his teeth and balled his fists.

"What does he think he's doing?!"

"Y-yes, but which one of you is Rocky?" She asked, getting worried.

Rocky stood up as well."Miss M! Don't believe Maniac! I am the real Rocky! Look at him, he doesn't even have the clipped ear at the right place!"

Mizzi looked unsure. "Uh, sweety, where is your clipped ear?" She asked him.

Rocky got frustrated. "It's my right ear!"

Maniac faced Rocky, sneaking a smile. "I am Rocky!" He said, to his greatest irritation.

"You idiot, Maniac, shut up! I. AM. ROCKY!" Rocky yelled at him.

"Never." He whispered to him. "Mizzi, you've got to trust me! He is not who he says he is! You gotta believe me!" He faked.

Rocky growled in fury. "Shut up!"

His eye twitched as Maniac said the words the same time as he did. He couldn't take it any longer. Rocky's anger bubbled over. He yelled at Maniac and flung himself at him in fury. Maniac released a surprised smile, but slid away before Rocky could clash with him.

Now on the ground, Rocky swept his feet toward Maniac's legs, knocking his double off his feet. The two glared at each other. Rocky saw a dropped gun and scrambled to grab it. Maniac, realizing Rocky now had a weapon, took a dynamite pack out of his coat, grinning wildly. They locked eyes, bracing themselves.

Rocky had never felt anger like this before. It was like a fire blazing inside of him. He was ready to embrace it now. After all he'd done for Maniac, and that insane jerk still bullied and pushed him around like a nobody?! That crazed cat was going to wish he'd never separated himself from Rocky! Maniac smiled his insane smile and said, "Can you feel the heat?"

(Yeah, I know it's too short. I had to shorten it because I didn't want to make it too long for your liking, oh well. Can't please everyone!)