Stan couldn't remember if he clocked out. He was halfway walking home from work. It was well past 11 at night and he could not remember if he clocked out. True, memory problems were part of his new life and health problems. Crisp April gave away to a sweltering July that Stan, despite all his troubles, was happy to see. He died back in April, an undiagnosed heart condition that left him in a constant state of anxiety. He fucking died. Collapsed in gym class, without the quick first aid from Kyle and the school nurse he would be six feet under. A week in a coma, a month in the hospital, a new robot to pace his heart or shock it back if it tried to kill him again. All new stuff to get used to.

"First time?" Kenny had said and laughed, that bastard.

Right before Stan's big death and reawakening, he was a busy senior who had since graduated. He got a shift lead promotion at The Sandwich Kingdom. It wasn't much but the dorky medieval themed sub shop was a cozy job for Stan to have. Kyle, Wendy, Kenny, everyone was going off to college, away from South Park. Stan left behind to soak in his self pity, college plans put on hold until he was all better. So he was sad and bored, but at least he was alive. Lucky him.

Did he clock out? Not that it mattered, he could ask his boss Carol McCormick to fix the time sheet. Not that she would get really mad, maybe a scolding- not the first time she lost a child. His coworkers, Elise Thompson and Bradley Biggle wouldn't bug him about it either. He almost would welcome someone giving him crap, better than the sympathetic looks and "poor thing" murmurs he was hearing too much these days.

Kyle had been on his ass every moment since he got home from the hospital. Kenny would come by with the sarcasm and nervous laughter. Wendy had been distant, scared of him even. His mother was…traumatized by the whole thing. It hurt how much he had put his loved ones through.

It hurt almost as much as Stan took a tumble over a curb and fell flat on his face. Things were black, hazy, as he cracked his eyes open staring up at the big open Colorado mountain sky. The first thing he noticed was how nice the stars looked and there were no clouds up above. Then reality set in as Stan sat up painfully, looking at the dark spot on his knee. He didn't know how much time had passed but the blood on his pants was dry and his phone kept buzzing with texts from his mom where he was.

Stan held his head as he texted his mom he just clocked out was on his way home. It was technically the truth, he just lost track of time. Maybe an alien spaceship had picked him up, wouldn't be the first time. He rubbed his chest as he started walking home again, knowing the pain he was having was just in his head. He wasn't being paranoid, was he?

The next morning bright and early at the crack of noon, Kyle was driving through the streets of South Park to Stan's house. Lots on his mind, the horrible spring with almost losing Stan, to hearing him now constantly complain. He was lucky to hear Stan able to complain and be himself, hardly showing any signs of brain damage after his collapse. Kyle didn't want to think about that as his hands gripped the steering wheel. Stan had a bad heart and it was affecting them all- even if it felt selfish to think like that. Kyle busied himself with getting ready for college in the fall, spending time with Stan, and Ike's and his new business venture.

Ike always liked messing with computers and so did Kyle. The two had started by building themselves gaming PCs, then word spread. Others in town wanted the Broflovski brothers to either help build their computers, fix their computers, or just come to them with tech advice. Kyle's passion was medicine and he was still fully intending on being a doctor someday. But for now it was a nice flexible job going into partnership with his brother. He could drive Ike to his clients houses as as a result his car had been overrun with wires, tape, and spare computer parts.

But his 'boss' Ike had given him the day off so Kyle was spending time with Stan, against his better judgment taking him to play football in the park with their friends. An excuse to hang out with their friends before everyone split up and scattered to their respective after highschool plans. A few were staying behind with Stan, Butters for one, Tweek as well. But even if it hurt Kyle had to go out of town for college to start the path of his dream career as a doctor. Just as long as he kept out of cardiology.

He pulled into the Marsh family driveway. Stan's mom had long divorced Stan's dad and moved into a charming little townhouse near the newer side of town. It wasn't living on the same street as when he and Stan were little kids, or an hour drive when he moved to the farm. It was near the hospital, not because of Stan's heart- even if the location was a bonus, but because Sharon had gotten her nursing degree and worked in the labor and delivery ward. She normally found her job rewarding and fulfilling, but had to take a leave of absence due to the trauma of her younger son getting so sick.

Kyle got out of the car carefully locking it before he went to ring the doorbell. He was met with Stan's mom at the door, cup of coffee in her hand.

"Hey, Mrs. Marsh. Is Stan awake yet?"

"No not yet, got him up to remind him to take his medicine but he went back down after." Sharon's hands gripped her coffee cup, shaking slightly. Kyle saw the bags under her eyes and that she lost at least ten pounds, looking small and frail. A ghost of herself.

He smiled sadly at her as she let him into the house. "Don't worry. I'll make sure to take care of him, always have." Kyle patted Stan's mom on the shoulder as he made his way up the stairs to Stan's room.

Words of worry floated in Kyle's mind as he walked up the stairs. Cardiac arrest. Medically induced coma. ECMO. Neurologically intact. He tried to swat away the intrusive thoughts, as so many dark clouds that tainted the last few months of their graduation and went to check on his best friend.

Stan's bedroom door opened but he didn't stir. Kyle entered the room and sat at the edge of Stan's bed, Stan snoozed on as Kyle punched him lightly on the shoulder. He didn't stir. Kyle didn't want to get worried just yet and shook him again. "Stan? Stan!" He was about to slap him before Stan's eyes cracked open and he stared up at his best friend.

"Huh?" Stan asked, confused.

"I'm sorry, I was just worried, are you feeling okay?" Kyle sat at the edge of the bed trying not to let his worry show too much.

"Fine…what time is it." Stan sat up on his elbows as he fumbled for his phone.

"We had that game with the guys, don't you remember. If you're not feeling well we can skip it…" Kyle's eyes widened as Stan sat up more in bed. "You didn't change after last night?"

"I guess I didn't." Stan said numbly as he looked down at his wrinkled blue and purple polo.

"Eww you still have ketchup or something on you." Kyle pointed at a streak down the side of Stan's hand and wrist.

Stan gets up, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs as he recalls looking up at the stars and missing that time. He pulls back his blankets and gets up unsteadily as Kyle starts to freak out. "Goddamn dude, what are you mad at me about now?" Stan growls, still trying to get his bearings.

"Stan, you're bloody. Your pants looked soaked through. It's not like that time you wished to get your period is it?" Kyle said half jokingly as he sat Stan down on his bed again. He leaned against the dresser crossing his arms. "So tell me what happened."

Stan squirmed uncomfortably as he looked at the dark brown spot and hole in the knee of his work pants. "I fell down." He finally admits.

"Where? What happened? Why didn't you clean it up? You know you can't risk an infection, Stan." Kyle sputtered out as he pulled back Stan's blankets to see more blood stained there.

"I-I don't know. I don't even remember- I was so tired I just got into bed." Stan starts to pull up his pant leg to get a good look at the damage. A deep red gash on his knee, scrapes down the side of his calf. He noticed his hands also were scraped up and scanned over.

"Stan? Do you need a doctor to check you out?" Kyle says, his voice careful but upset.

"No! I promise you I'm fine. I took a fall over a curb and when I woke up-" Stan started.

"You passed out?" Kyle's voice was seething at this point. "That's it, going to tell your mom and we're taking you to the hospital now Stan."

"No! I don't want to go. I show up for a scratch and then I'm stuck there all day. I wanted to have fun, then I'm working tonight. I don't need this." Stan gets up now, taking the weight off his bad knee.

Kyle gets up now. "Stan, ignoring your symptoms was what got you so sick in the first place. I'm not going to let that happen again. I owe it to you."

"You don't owe me anything. I'm fine." Stan grumbles as he pushes Kyle away.

"No but I owe your mom a healthy son. Owe Wendy to make sure you're okay. Owe Kenny not having to drag your ass from that violet place again!" Kyle hissed, trying to not let their argument be overheard by Stan's mom.

"Fuck you. Don't mention that place again. It's scary to think about." Stan snaps back as he goes to his closet to grab some clothes.

"It was scary to see you dead! In a coma! Come on, I'll take you to the hospital." Kyle reaches for his keys but Stan slaps his hand palm down on the table.

"I'll ruin my plans and call into work, but let me take a shower first. I look like crap and want to wash all this blood and crap off me." Stan grabs a tshirt, jeans, socks and underwear to head to the shower. He pokes his head back in. "Don't tell my mom unless it ends up being serious. She has enough to worry about."

Fifteen minutes later Stan was drying the mop of black hair on his head with a towel in the steamy bathroom. Even with the wound on his knee cleaned it was deep and still oozed blood. Christ. He hoped he didn't need stitches. He hated everyone worrying over him, he just wanted to go back to normal. He hated that he was missing the football game. He was on the fence about calling into work. He was a shift leader, needed to keep the restaurant running smoothly and take care of the after shift paperwork and money. It was a lot, they were short staffed and Stan couldn't afford to get sick.

He dressed quickly and grabbed his toothbrush. He looked at himself in the mirror as he started to brush his teeth. He hardly remembered yesterday, his fall and injury. He could remember how beautiful the sky looked, wondering if him passing out would be a secret between him and the stars. But another wave swept over him and he grabbed the counter in case he might fall, toothbrush clattering into the sink.

"Guess I'm done brushing my teeth." Stan muttered as he tried to blink the black spots from his vision.

A knock at the door. "Are you okay, dude?"

This hurt Stan worse, Kyle sounded scared, not angry. He took a few deep breaths and opens the door up to face his best friend. "Ready. Let's get this over with."

Stan and Kyle said goodbye to Stan's mom, Stan relieved Kyle kept his secret as they made it out to Kyle's white sedan. Stan sunk gratefully in the front seat and held the seat belt off his chest, he had the ICD implant surgery three months ago and it was still tender.

Kyle handed over an old towel to Stan instinctively for Stan to put over his shoulder as he started up the car. "I'm glad you're letting me take you. It's the responsible thing to do."

"I guess, leaving my coworkers short staffed doesn't seem responsible but I guess if you're going to be dramatic I'll go along." Stan stretched his legs as he put a tender hand on his injured knee.

"I'm not being dramatic." Kyle snapped. "I'm looking out for you since you're not going to do it."

"I'm not five." Stan snapped back. He grumbled and fiddled with the radio. He took a sharp intake of breath and clutched his chest. "Oh fuck." He said under his breath.

Kyle tried to keep the car steady as he looked over at his best friend. "What's wrong? Are you having symptoms?"

Stna but his lip as he felt a black wave go over him, the black spots in his vision were back. He dug his fingernails into his arm to keep himself steady. "Fine." He said through gritted teeth.

"Be honest. What happened last night that you don't remember hurting your knee?" Kyle says, his knuckles bone white as he gripped the steering wheel.

Stan let out a deep breath, his head bowed low as he tried to remain focused. "I was walking home since I can't drive anymore. I had my AirPods in and wasn't paying attention and went over a curb. I was more in shock than anything. Didn't notice my knee hurt, it was dark and I just wanted to get home."

Kyle eyes him as he drives. "When you say shock do you mean?"

"No, not from the robot. I dread the day I get a shock from it." Stan puts a hand to his chest. "I don't remember if I clocked out last night, I was worried about that and fell over. That's it." He says- deciding to keep out the lost time in his retelling of events.

"You kept your illness to yourself so long it almost killed you. I just want you to be okay. Everyone to be okay…" Kyle trails off as his eyes focus on the highway to Hells Pass Hospital. It was a drive up a winding mountain road, since it was the middle of July there was no snow so the ride shouldn't be dangerous.

Stan's hand was holding the door handle, he squinted his eyes against the hot sun and moved over to turn up the air conditioning. The black spots hadn't faded and he felt swept away as if caught in an undertow, drowning feeling included.

He turned to Kyle, eyes wide and desperate. "I can't breathe." He choked out.

"What?" Kyle looked at him worriedly. Stan was pale, but sweating and trying to take deep breaths. Before Kyle could ask more questions, Stan's eyes rolled back in his head and he went slack in the passenger seat.

"Fuck!" Kyle screamed as he put his foot on the gas to try and rush Stan to the hospital. He looked over, saying "Stan? Stan!" Over and over gruffy as he made his way on the winding road towards the hospital. Fear struck him like a punch to the gut as he kept speeding. Behind him he could hear the wail of a siren, great some stupid cop was after him. But Kyle wouldn't give up on Stan as he kept racing to get his friend to the hospital before the worst happened- again.

Kyle wanted to reach over, make sure Stan was still breathing but he knew the best course of action was to keep going and not even stop as the cop sirens wailed behind him. Stan was slouched down in the passenger seat, his head bouncing as the car raced ahead. Kyle's car made it to the beginning of the winding road up to Hells Pass Hospital, nothing but a guardrail between his car and the sharp drop off the mountain.

Suddenly Stan jumped in his seat, his hands raised up before falling uselessly to his sides. The jump startled Kyle who was already on edge, making the car swerve and hit the guardrail. Kyle jerked the car knowing that it was going to leave a mark. Behind him was the sound of a loudspeaker.

"You are going too fast, pull over." The voice of Sgt. Harrison Yates from a loudspeaker in his cop car.

Kyle fought the urge to flip him off as he kept going, about halfway up the mountain. He looked over at Stan again as his friend tensed up and flopped over again. The ICD must be going off, keeping him alive. Kyle let one hand off the steering wheel to hold Stan's hand for a brief moment before he made the last curve on the road and into the parking lot of the hospital. The car careened into the emergency entrance as Kyle threw the car in park and ran to get some help.

"Hey I need help out here. My friend passed out and he has a heart condition, please help him." Kyle hollered as he opened up the passenger door to help Stan out. He was limp in his arms as a nurse rolled a gurney out.

"What happened to him?" The nurse asked as Stan was hoisted and rushed down the hall.

"He has a heart condition, supraventricular tachycardia, and an ICD. He said he fell last night and seemed spacey the next morning, and has a big scrape on his knee. I was driving him when he passed out and seemed to get shocked a few times but hasn't woken up." Kyle races along with the nurse as the doors burst open and Stan is brought into the emergency room.

"I'm sorry sir, we need room to work." The nurse tells Kyle. "You're free to go in the waiting room.

Kyle bows his head in defeat, taking one last look at Stan as the doctors swarm him before he leaves the room.

"ICD or die."

"Huh?" Wendy said, fear gripping in her stomach as she stood behind the counter of her barista job. "W-what was that?" She asked with a tremble in her voice.

"Iced chai." The woman repeated, tapping her polished fingernails on the counter.

"Oh, of course. I'll start that for you." Wendy punched in the woman's order and put the credit card reader on the counter. The woman huffed but paid, she didn't leave a tip.

Wendy turned her back as she got to work making the woman's order. Things didn't feel right, not that things ever had been normal but Wendy never had anxiety this bad before. It was chipping away at her confidence. Her parents offered to send her to therapy, but she was waiting to leave for the University of Chicago to find a therapist.

She couldn't wait for college. Leaving South Park behind and getting some distance between her and Stan. Some time to throw herself into classes, a new adventure in a new city, and time to process her trauma.

She hated herself, it wasn't Stan's fault he was sick and almost died. But since his accident (if it could be called that) Wendy was having a hard time going back to how things were before. Their alone time when he wanted to be romantic she would be full of panic. She wanted to just kiss and hug him, he needed that but her own anxiety was clawing at her.

Wendy finished making the chai and called out the woman's name. Her hand shook as she set the drink on the counter. She was a mess, even if she hated to admit it. When she was a kid she would spread awareness about breast cancer and never backed down from a challenge. Why was she such a bad girlfriend now? She utterly hated what she had become and wanted to be her old self again. Maybe finally getting to Chicago would bring that fire back she so desperately needed.

"Wendy? Are you okay? Your eyes are red." A voice interrupted her racing thoughts as she looked at her boss, Elizabeth.

"Yes." Wendy said, wiping her eyes on her apron. "I'm sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Go ahead and take your break." Elizabeth urged as she took over the front counter for Wendy.

Wendy nodded and wasted no time to wipe her eyes and go to the back of the cafe to grab her purse. She felt so stupid, couldn't just be normal and happy. The harm she was doing to hers and Stan's relationship and her own mental health suffering so badly. She dabbed her eyes and sat in the break room when she saw a text from Kyle. She hesitated a heartbeat before she saw what he wanted. Stan got taken to the hospital once again and no word on his condition…

Stan cracked his eyes open as he looked around the room he was in. It was bright but quiet, the sound of trees rustling and birds in the background. He sat up carefully, rubbing his eyes to take in the scenery around him.

First thing he noticed was the walls were made of solid stone, the bed he was in had a large red canopy over it and was carved with dark wood. Wherever he was, this wasn't a hospital, he couldn't remember the rest of the car ride with Kyle, just that Kyle was mad at him. He sat up carefully and took in the room around him. Sunlight streamed into the room, a warm crackling fire in one corner with a pot over it, the door was heavy wood with intricate carvings on it.

"What the fuck?" Stan muttered as he got out of bed and explored the room.

The crackling fire was warm, the view outside the window showed a vast scenery of rolling hills and a thick forest. Stan finally glanced at himself in the mirror, a medieval tunic with armor over it, a helmet with a red feather on top. Next to it was a gleaming silver sword with an intricate handle with many jewels in it, a large red heart at the center. Stan rolled his eyes but he reached out to the sword, as soon as his hand grabbed the hilt he felt a warmness in his chest. His heart was connected to this sword. Taking a deep breath he slung the sword onto his back and finished putting on his armor.

There was a knock at that door. Stan looked up to see Kyle opening up the door. He held a wooden staff as tall as him, red robe, a crown of branches and leaves at his head. "Come on, they're waiting for us."

"Kyle! So glad to see you." Stan got up to hug his friend. "What the hell kind of place did we end up in now?"

Kyle looked at him confused. "Not sure what you're talking about, Sir Stan. But the queen and princess request your company in the throne room. I was sent to fetch you."

"The queen and princess? What is going on now? Tell them I'll be right there." Stan shook his head as Kyle closed the door. He looked at himself in the mirror once more, his pulse pounding in his chest until he reached for the sword. A rush of energy and calm through him.

Stan soon found himself in a throne room. He stood before a queen and princess. Queen Sharon held out her hand to him. "Brave and noble young knight. You're to go on a long and treacherous journey to return with the heart of lighting. I, Queen Sharon and Princess Wendy will see you off and offer you a safe return."

Queen Sharon wore a long brown dress cut of fine cloth, with gold and red trim sewn in an intricate pattern. A golden crown with red jewels sat atop her head as she sat in the middle of a large plush throne.

"Oh crap, what the hell is going on here?" Stan looks down at his chainmail with a red and blue chest plate, a helmet with a single red feather on his head. He has with him a large sword with a red heart shaped jewel that pulses slightly as he lifts it from his holster.

Elise steps forward in a long blue and white gown. "Princess Wendy, do you have any tasks for me?"

Kyle appears in an outfit of thick leather, many bags and pouches on his belt. He has a red robe with golden trim. A wooden crown on his head, long pointy elf ears poke through his red hair. "I have been summoned, you called for the royal elf doctor?"

Stan blinks, trying not to roll his eyes. "The elf Doctor? What's going on you guys? What's the heart of lightning?"

Queen Sharon looks down from her throne. "A very precious artifact. I am sending you on a quest, you must travel through the sandwich kingdom to reclaim the heart of lightning. You have to complete the request or you shall perish. Not my choice of course sweetie." She lets out a little smile.

"Why me? What's going on? I don't want to die!" Stan says, hand on his sword as it pulses in his hands. It felt weird but comforting.

"You were born with a curse you must break. The heart of lightning will fix that." Princess Wendy says. She's in a gown of purple with pink and silver trim. She has a delicate silver tiara with pink jewels in it. "I send my most loyal handmaiden, Lady Elise to make sure no one fucks with you."

Stan looks at her gobsmacked. She looked lovely but he didn't want to step forward. "I have a curse? Oh man. Okay... Um, want to join me Lady Elise in this weird journey to get the lightning heart or some bullshit?"

Elise looks at Princess Wendy who nods at her. She steps forward holding a cross bow, her long wavy brown hair tied back and in a white and blue gown. "I shall accompany you for loyalty to Princess Wendy and to keep your crack addiction under control."

Kyle steps forward. "I also shall accompany you since walking is good for your heart health. Also we might need a doctor if we run into monsters on the way. Also I have knowledge of the forest and medicine and technology and….."

"Stop making up talents!" Queen Sharon says. She claps her hands. "I'm sending Elf Doctor Kyle because he knows it all who gets on my nerves but he'll keep you out of trouble. Queen Sharon has a headache now. I require amusement. Where is my royal Jester?"

Bradley comes hurtling in, doing back hand flips before landing in front of the queen. He grins as he fixes his purple and green hat. "You called for me, my queen?"

Stan pinches the bridge of his nose. "Oh god…"

"Jester Bradley. Make me laugh then I might have a quest for you." Queen Sharon orders.

Bradley bounces on the heels of his feet. "Okay um... oh! Why do plants hate math?"

"Why, loyal Jester?" Queen Sharon asks.

"Because it gives them square roots!" Bradley throws his arms out in triumph, taking a pose, a smile on his face.

Stan groans. "Dammit can't Kenny or someone else be the jester? Why my coworkers?"

Princess Wendy looks at Stan. "You really want to bring Kenny into this again? Not mix characters up again? Or you could just die."

"No! I don't want to die! But did you hear- argh never mind. Let's just do this thing if it means I get a good heart finally." Stan feels another pulse of power from his sword.

Kyle steps forward with his staff. "I'm ready, Sir Stan Marshwalker."

Elise steps forward slinging her crossbow over her shoulder. "I am as well Sir Stan." She smiles and curtsies.

Bradley does a barrel roll, landing in front of Stan. "Let us brave the journey ahead or die with dignity!"

Stan holds up a hand. "I'm not dying you guys. I don't plan to at least."

Elf Kyle steps forward. "No one will die with me around. We're on a journey to break the curse placed on Sir Stan."

"To win the affection of Princess Wendy." Elise says

"And to finally be knighted by Queen Sharon." Jester Bradley adds."Now be off. We don't have much time. Make haste!"

Stan swishes his sword behind his back. "This thing is pretty cool actually. Maybe we slay a dragon or something."

"Hell yeah! That's the spirit, bro!" Kyle high fives him.

Bradly cringes slightly. "Jesters have a history of becoming dragon snacks. Maybe you better go on ahead. If we find one, I'll hang back."

"Come on, if Queen Sharon says you're needed on this journey, then you're to come along." Lady Elise takes the collar to drag him out of the great hall and onto the start of their journey.