Steve couldn't help but follow his body as he flipped into the Upside Down, managing to land on his feet by some miracle. Eddie and Nancy watched him from above, and he shrugged. Looking around the room, the room that was dark, covered in vines and carried a musty smell, he eventually found a mattress. Grabbing it, he pulled it over to the hole in the ceiling and didn't waste a second placing it down.

"Alright, let's go!" He said, speaking through the damp air, and resisted the urge to cough.

Maybe Eddie was right, maybe masks were a good idea. But, now, as he stood in the Upside Down, their plan already set in motion, there was nothing else that he could do but move forward without them.

Hopper pushed his way through the crowd, muttering something under his breath, and carefully climbed up the rope, falling not so gracefully into the other dimension. Grumbling, he pushed away Steve's hand, held out to help, and got to his feet on his own.

"Some of us aren't as young as you, Harrington. You don't have to flaunt it."

"Eh, I just got lucky."

As Steve watched as the others began dropping through, helping each of them to their feet as he did so, weapons began dropping through as well, followed by shields and other supplies that they had brought. Jonathan was the last to go through, and, after picking up the nail bat that had been dropped before him and cast aside, handed it to Steve.

"You should use this, it's more your style than mine."

Steve couldn't help but be glad, the nail bat hadn't been a good luck charm, far from it, but it was something that he liked to call his. It gave him a sense of belonging, like he was meant to be here, to be fighting, to be protecting, and he was thankful to have it back.

He wondered if anything would've gone differently if he had it when he was captured by Brenner. He chose not to dwell on the thought.

"Thanks."

Steve handed Jonathan his ax, and the two followed the others through the trailer door, the moment between them already gone.

White particles drifted through the air as Steve moved, and he didn't bother swatting them away, as more would replace it soon enough anyways. It reminded him of the tunnels, back when demodogs roamed their home, back when Steve was just Steve with a nail bat. Now he was more. He was older, stronger, different, more experienced, and he hoped that that would count for something. He hoped that, after everything he and Robin had been through, it would lead to their victory.

As soon as they were all outside, Hopper turned to Dustin and Eddie, who hung out by the trailer, no doubt ready to set their plan into motion. Prepare the trailer for defense. Get ready for the bats that were no doubt coming.

"Remember, be sure to cover every gap, every window, every hole, understood?" Hopper said, "You can't let them get in. I haven't fought these things before, but they seem eager for blood. Don't let them get it."

Eddie nodded. "We'll cover everything, Chief."

As Steve looked at Eddie and Dustin, both of them determined, eager to save the world, he didn't just see two soldiers, ready to go to war with him. He saw a brother in Dustin, and a friend in Eddie. He saw people he didn't want to get hurt, people who deserved a future, a good future. People who have been roped into this mess when they should be living a regular, normal life. People he didn't want to suffer any more than they have.

Steve stepped towards them, and Dustin watched him expectantly.

"Hey, guys, listen." He began, and Eddie turned to him, his hands yet again tight as they held his spear and shield, though it was harder to see in the darkness of the Upside Down. "If things here start to go south, I mean at all, you abort, okay?"

Eddie's mouth fell open slightly, and Dustin's brows furrowed.

"Butー"

"No buts, Dustin. Draw the attention of the bats, keep them busy for a minute or two, and we'll take care of One."

Dustin looked ready to argue again, yet Eddie was silent, eyeing Harrington with what appeared to be a mixture of resignation and awe.

"Don't try to be a hero, or anything. Okay? You guys are justー"

"Decoys." Dustin said, nodded weakly. "Yeah, I know."

"Hey." Steve said softer, walking closer to Dusitn. He put his hand on his shoulder, hoping that Dustin would hear him, the he would truly hear him, that he would understand. "I need you to be safe, alright? Both of you. We can't let One take anything else from us. He's already taken enough."

Eddie nodded at that, taking a deep breath, and Steve knew deep down that his words had struck a chord in the metalhead. A pang of remorse flooded his body before disappearing as soon as it came. He hadn't wanted to hurt Eddie. He just wanted them to understand that Steve couldn't lose them. He couldn't lose anyone else to this, especially their Party.

"Don't worry, Steve. You can be the hero." Dustin said, and Eddie nodded along.

"Absolutely, I mean, look at us. We are not heroes."

Steve wanted to tell them that they were, that they were heroes already, that they've always been heroes in their own ways, but Nancy coughed behind him.

"Steve? We have to go."

Steve hesitantly began walking away, not wanting to leave them alone, not wanting to leave words unsaid, but he had to go. Eddie called out from behind him, making him stop.

"Hey, Steve?"

"Yeah?"

Eddie's face became grave, and he met Steve's eyes, not looking away. "Make him pay."

Steve nodded slightly , acknowledging Eddie's request, Eddie's demand that Steve couldn't blame him for, and Eddie nodded back, Steve liked to think that it was in thanks.

Giving the two one last glance, one last wave, Steve turned away, and the remaining members of their crew began walking away from the trailer in silence. Their weapons were strapped to their backs and there was a heaviness in their footsteps, letting the red flash of lighting guide their way.

It didn't take too long for everyone's breaths to become harsh and strained, yet Steve continued on without struggle, leading the way with Hopper, who managed to keep up. Behind him, Steve could hear Nancy and Jonathan talking, and Will walked by himself, carrying the bag of Molotov cocktails, keeping his head low.

And that's when Steve realized that Will would have a hard time here, more than anyone else. The last time he was in the Upside Down, he was thirteen, and he was trapped. He was taken away from his mother, from his brother, and now he was heading to a war.

Steve kicked himself for not thinking of it sooner. Why would he leave Will walking alone like that? Hopper could handle himself just fine, but Will couldn't.

"Hey, you know the way?" Steve asked Hopper, "I read a map earlier, but if you know…"

Hopper nodded, wiping a bit of sweat from his forehead.

"Yeah, I've been to the Creel House many times, I think I'll be good."

"Okay, I'll be beside Will. I think he needs someone."

Hopper's eyes widened, and he glanced back, nodding.

"Good idea, he looks spooked. Did you want me to talk to him?"

"Nah, I got it. Just keep us on track."

Steve slowed down, and, as soon as Will had caught up, he fell in step beside him.

"Do you need help carrying the pack? That thing's got to be heavy." He asked, and Will gave him a small smile.

"I got it."

"You sure? I don't mind helping."

Will eventually nodded, and Steve took it from him, carefully swinging it over his shoulder.

"Better?"

Will rolled his shoulders. "Yeah, thanks."

"No problem. How are you doing, if you don't mind me asking?"

Will shrugged. "I don't know…I'm a bit spooked. It's nice to have people around, though. With weapons. Do…do you think a Demogorgon will come?"

Fear built in his gut at the words, not even thinking of what other dangers might be lurking in the Upside Down, but he pushed it down, knowing that fear wouldn't help him right now. It wouldn't help any of them right now.

"I don't think so, but if one comes, I can deal with it, just like before. Just stay close to us and we'll make sure nothing grabs you, okay? You're not alone."

Will nodded, looking down to the ground, where more vines sat. "I will, thanks, Steve."

Steve wasn't an empath like Robin, but something told him that Will was holding back something, something that he wanted to say.

"Of course, but…are you sure you're okay?"

Will sighed, shaking his head slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just… feel bad. With everything going on, with Max, all of those kids…why am I still scared? Why am I still thinking about what happened to me? Worse things are happening right now, but I can't stop worrying about what happened in the past. I can't stop thinking about my horror stories when Max is living in one right now. Is that wrong, Steve?"

"Whoa, whoa! Don't feel bad about being scared, or remembering what you went through." Steve protested, eager to help Will feel better. The kid had been through enough, if Steve could help ease his worries, why wouldn't he? "It's like…when I couldn't go out with everyone at Lover's Lake, right? Even though Max was in danger, even though teens were dying, I was still scared. I was terrified of water, water! Was that wrong? Should I feel bad for that?"

"Well, no, but you drowned before. What happened to you was bad, it only makes sense that you'd be scared. That you'd see the water, and remember drowning." Will argued, and Steve gave him a small smile.

"And, that same logic doesn't apply to you?"

Will's eyes widened, and he huffed out a small laugh. "Oh. I…I guess it does."

"Don't beat yourself up, Will. You've been through a lot, don't feel bad for reacting to this place. Anyone would, if they were in your position."

"Hey, Steve, Will, are you two okay?" Jonathan called from behind him, and Will gave him a wave.

"We're good!"

"See?" Steve said, also giving Jonathan a wave. "We're all here for you, Will. Like I said, you're not alone."

"That's the great thing about a Party." Will said "no one's alone. I guess it's sometimes just…hard to remember."

Steve hoisted the bag on his shoulder and gave Will a smile. "Oh come on, Will, you've got a great memory. What do they call you? Will the Wise?"

"But wisdom doesn't mean good memory, Steve."

"Who made that rule?"

"Guys, "Hopper said, interrupting them, coming to a stop at the edge of the forest, and Steve walked forward, Will only a step behind him. "We're here."

And Steve could see it. The house stood tall among the clearing, a horror movie house if Steve had ever seen one, surrounded by moving black objects that Steve had to assume were the bats that he had been told about. He could see the playground in the distance, too, with an orange light glowing within the structure and knew that it was time to set their plan in motion. That orange light was their communication with Erica. The first step in their plan.

"Well," Jonathan said, stepping into the clearing. "I guess it's time."

"Yeah." Steve said, tightening his grip on the backpack. "It's time."

Mike hated waiting. He felt his whole life waiting, and even now, on the brink of the battle that would save Hawkins, he was waiting.

Max and Lucas were sitting not far from him, writing on notes and exchanging smiles, despite the circumstances. He didn't want to intrude, so he stayed sitting on his chair in silence, watching as the light signifying One's location sat still, unblinking.

He found it hard to believe that, yet again, they were dealing with the Upside Down. Couldn't they ever get a break? Hadn't they deserved one after everything they've been through?

He knew, after they dealt with One, he would try to convince El to apply for the same colleges as him, when the time came. That way they could both get far from this place. Didn't they deserve that? El sure did, yet here she was, back fighting monsters with her mind.

Maybe Will would want to come too. Mike would have to ask, leaving his best friend would be the hardest thing he would have to do. Hopefully Will would come.

But, deep down, Mike knew that this future, this dream, was so far away. They were only freshmen in high school, they still had years to go before they escaped this nightmare that they called home. He just hoped that this Upside Down disaster was the last one, he didn't know how much longer he could take this.

He wanted to appear strong, uncaring, but deep down he was terrified. Would they all live to the next day? Would he ever see Nancy again? His mom? Will? El?

A white, flashing light brought him out of his thoughts, and he rushed over silently to where the window was, the window that faced Erica. And, like he suspected, she was giving the signal, the signal that meant that the Upside Down group was ready to go.

The plan was in motion.

Max and Lucas joined him by the window, and, after exchanging nods of understanding, Max grabbed her lantern. The lantern in the middle of the room died out, the light disappearing from it, and then it showed up on Max's lantern, indicating that One was moving.

Slowly and silently the three followed the light, walking in the direction the light shined the brightest. It led them up the creaky stairs, and Mike hugged the side of them, hoping to avoid making more noise than needed.

At the top of the stairs, the blue light grew brighter, and it led them into a vast room, like an attic, and, in the middle of the room, it shone brighter than before.

Mike knew that this was it. This was where One would attack. This was their battleground.

A part of him wished that this experience, this fight, would be like their Dungeon and Dragons games, full of adventure and excitement as they drew closer to the battle, but all Mike could feel was worry and fear.

This was nothing like a D&D game. This was real life. And Max was going to be in danger.

There was nothing fun about this.

Mike watched as Max closed her eyes, whether in resistance or acceptance he didn't know, and she swallowed.

He wondered if she was as scared as he was pretending not to be.

As Max held the lantern, the light soon died out, and Lucas looked at Mike in question. He shrugged his shoulders, panic filling every fiber of his being, because this wasn't supposed to happen.

Max looked to Lucas in question, and then she began talking, her voice filled with anger laced with alarm.

"What are you waiting for? Come and get me!" She exclaimed, and Mike jumped at how loud her voice had gotten, like an explosion in the silence, but he himself didn't say a word. "I'm right here!"

But then her voice became soft, and she didn't draw her eyes away from the light. "I know you can hear me. I know that you can read my thoughts… even the worst ones."

Lucas stepped closer to her, his hand raised to no doubt comfort her as he always did, but Mike shook his head. They needed to get One's attention, and helping Max wouldn't do that.

But, it hurt having to stop him, it hurt knowing that one of their own had to suffer for the rest of the world to survive. For even a chance at survival.

"Maybe mostly the worst ones." Max continued, tears forming in her eyes, and Mike forced himself not to look away.

He and Max weren't super close, but he still cared for her. She was his friend, a loyal member of the Party, and he hated to see her suffer.

Max went silent then, and she placed the lantern on the table in front of her, putting her walkman and headphones beside her, as well as a letter addressed to Steve. Sitting down, she crossed her legs, sitting in front of the light, in front of the thing that could hurt her.

"I thought about what you said." She explained softly, and Lucas and Mike shared a glance. "About how I wanted my brother to die."

At that moment, Mike knew that things were going to get personal, and he hated it. He never knew what to do when people got sad, or started talking about hard, emotional things. All he wanted to do was leave, cover up his worry with an ill-timed comment, but he couldn't. He felt, in that moment, that he didn't belong. He just wanted to run away, leaving Lucas to help Max because he knew what to do. But, he was their protector, so he had to stay, no matter how hard it was.

He thought of Steve, at that moment. How, despite clearly not belonging in their small group way back with the Demodogs, despite not being known by anyone but as the bad boyfriend, not being comfortable around Nancy and Jonathan, he stayed and protected. He protected a group of kids he didn't know. He was willing to die for them, even though he wasn't yet one of them. He wasn't comfortable then, right? But, he stayed. He stayed through it all.

Maybe Mike was more like Steve than he thought.

The lantern pulsed with light, a metallic whine breaking through the silence, and Max continued, her voice somber, so, so different from her voice the first time they met.

"I thought that you were just trying to upset me. Anger me. But you weren't, were you? You were just telling the truth."

Lucas didn't turn his eyes from her, but Mike found it hard to look at her, hear what she said. It hurt him, knowing how much pain she had gone through, how often she was left alone with these emotions when he was running off with El, enjoying life while Max suffered. If he had done something different, would Max be sitting here now? Or would it be some other teen, someone Mike didn't know? Would One have attacked them at all?

Mike knew what Nancy would say, if she knew what he was thinking. She would tell him that it was stupid to dwell on the what-ifs. And she was right. All he should be focusing on was the now.

Max continued to talk, about Billy, about how much she wanted him gone, and Mike forced himself to stop listening, hating the guilt that sprang in his chest. And, he knew that this was private. He didn't want to know too much.

But Lucas didn't step away, he didn't stop looking at her, he was the unwavering pillar of support that Mike wasn't.

Maybe he shouldn't be here. Maybe he should've been in the Upside Down, fighting bats with Dustin, or with El and Robin, helping them as they attacked One with their minds. Anyone else would be better at this job than he was.

He had to tell himself that he was the protector. He was here to protect them. There was a reason he was here. He just had to trust that.

Be like Steve. Protect. Never leave when things get hard. Stay through it all.

Max continued to speak, and certain words brought his attention back to her, words that no one should have to speak.

"And now, now when I lie in bed at night, I pray that something will happen to me." Tears were falling down her face now, and Mike looked away once again. "That something terrible would happen to me."

Mike wanted to believe that the words were a lie, a trick to get One to attack her, but he knew that they weren't. He felt like screaming, crying, shaking Max's shoulders and telling her that she is enough, but he had to stop himself.

Follow the plan. Just follow the plan.

"So that's why I'm here. Because…I just want you to take me away. I want you…to make me一"

Her voice cut short, and Mike's eyes widened at the abruptness of it. He rushed towards her, kneeling on the ground, and noticed that her eyes had gone pearly white, her jaw slack and her body tight.

One got her. He had her in his grasp.

She began shaking, gasping, as Lucas jumped to attention, grabbing the walkman for if, for when, she began floating. They had to make sure she survived this. But they had to make sure that the others had enough time to kill him.

Mike knew that it was a balancing act, and one wrong move could tip them over, making someone fall to their death, either Hawkins or Max or everyone they loved.

So, he kept his attention on Max, Lucas ready to steady her if she began swaying. He promised himself that, with every second that ticked by, he would do his best to protect them.

It was all that he could do.