Chapter Four
"What exactly are you talking about?" the Doctor asked.
"Your young friend appears to be influenced by the force of evil," Duncan answered, "and shortly before the Fall Festival, Methos explained about an intergalatic prophecy that an evil being will be released, bringing the universe into eternal darkness."
"How do you..." the Doctor and Natasha each started to ask in unison.
"That's right," Natasha stopped herself, "Methos knows a lot about the mystical stuff, which is how Duncan knows about this mystical prophecy happening."
"Well," the Doctor nodded, "you guys can come too since you believe this prophecy is going to happen. Just for this trip."
"We gotchu," Richie smirked.
"Gladly," Amanda nodded with a grin.
"Exactly what we had in mind," Duncan nodded in agreement.
-The-Host-Remastered-
Aefriol looked at Nyssa and swept in and without thinking, kissed her in the lips passionately. The Traken accepted the intoxicating kiss as it was the start of swaying her into being his queen.
"I had no idea that you was a good kisser Adric," Nyssa stated as she was startled yet intoxicated by the kiss, "but what made you think that you had the right?"
"I just felt that I was lucky, my dear." Aefriol smiled before revealing his real voice and his eyes turning red again. Nyssa took a step back as she was in surprise at "Adric"'s new look. Not only that, he had a mark that was similar to the Mara's snake mark, except it was not the mark of a snake, instead, it was just red in color and had a rectangular shape.
"Oh my god!" Nyssa gasped, "What...who are you? What did you do to Adric?!"
"There is no need to be alarmed my dear." Aefriol told her, "Adric is not harmed. There is no need to be afraid. I am Aefriol and because I do not have a body, I have borrowed your friend."
"How can I be sure?" Nyssa asked. She wanted to believe this being that Adric was alright, but considering on what happened to her father Tremas at the hands of the Master, she could not be certain.
"You can be sure my dear." Aefriol answered, "I swear by everything that I hold dear, that Adric will be safe. With that being said, you are one lucky lady."
"And how is that?" Nyssa asked in curiosity as she was feeling the influence that the being gave her.
"You, Nyssa of Traken, have been selected by me to become my queen as I seek to return to my kingdom." Aefriol announced. He then looked at the young intelligent woman and waited for her answer whether she would accept his offer or not. If she did accept his offer, he would begin his universal domination. If not, things would fall apart and he would have to find another woman to be his queen. Lucky for him, he did not have to wait long for an answer as the Traken was clearly under the deep influence that Aefriol's kiss had given her.
"I will be your queen." Nyssa answered, "but only if you promise that Adric is safe and that the Doctor and Tegan will not be harmed as well."
"You have my word, Nyssa of Traken." Aefriol replied, "Now you may close your eyes as your acceptance as my queen shall begin."
Nyssa closed her eyes. Aefriol grabbed her left arm with the arm that had the mark as it would be shared to her. The evil being was pleased with how his plan was going. She fed her a little bit of truths – he was determined to go back to his home planet of Mylithos and he was a ruler, but he was not a good ruler. He was in fact in evil ruler of an evil cult planning universal domination, with Nyssa as his queen! The red mark spread from Adric's arm and went onto Nyssa's arm, ensaring Nyssa into becoming his queen.
I have done it, Prumiva. I have found my queen! Come morning, I will let you meet her and we will work on getting to work on our universal conquest!
Excellent, Master Aefriol! I cannot wait for everything to begin! And I cannot wait to meet your lovely lady.
Nyssa smiled as her eyes were now dark as she smiled an evil smile.
-The-Host-Remastered-
"So, you are telling me that people who die or have their souls taken out of their bodies," Adric asked Gamora, "they just give in to those things?"
"They do not really have a choice," Gamora explained, "Unless they were sacrificed for the Soul stone."
"Which Gamora and myself were." Clint added in, "In that case, we are given the option whether or not to give in."
"In that case, we decide to remain in the Soul World," Gamora glanced over at the fallen Avenger, "At least, he did because he told me someday he wants to reunite with his family."
"You were really lucky," Katarina told Adric, "We do not always reach to people who do not die in the Soul World like we did with you."
The group were startled upon hearing another noise. Clint motioned them to be quiet. Moments later, another figure arrived at the area and this time it was another fallen companion to the Doctor: Sara Kingdom!
"Good." Gamora sighed, "You are still here in one piece."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Sara replied, "I was patrolling around the boarders of the Soul World. Making sure souls that arrived here are safe and not wiped from existence by the Wraiths."
Sara noticed Adric at the area, "Well Gamora, it looks like you were successful in retrieving another soul in one piece."
"Yeah." Gamora replied, "He got himself possessed by an evil being that sent him here."
"Is that so?"
Gamora nodded.
"Who are you?" Adric asked the new arrival.
"My name is Sara Kingdom." Sara introduced herself to the Alzarian, "I was a companion to the Doctor before I perished during my encounter with the Daleks. After I was done aging to death, I found myself in the Dead Zone which is what the dark void or the dark place of the Soul World here is called. Before the Wraiths could get a hold of me, I managed to evade them and arrive here at the Soul World. Just who are you, by the way?"
"Adric."
"Nice to meet you. So, you said the being that possessed you brought you here?"
"Yes."
"There is a way that you can warn your friends from the living sphere about what has happened to you."
"There is?"
"She is right." Gamora nodded in agreement, "But with the person you are trying to contact, they cannot be under evil influence."
Adric sighed, "I had a feeling there was a catch."
"I am sure that evil being will not take control of every mind of your friends." Varsh assured his younger brother, "Go for it."
Sara got Adric prepared to contact one of the others in the living realm to inform them of what happened to him. Adric tried to contact Nyssa first, but to his surprise, there was no avail.
"That cannot be!" Adric exclaimed.
"What?" Sara asked.
"I cannot get a hold of Nyssa!"
"She must be under the evil's influence." Gamora replied, "Do not worry, the Doctor will find a way to free her from the control. I promise."
"Do you have anyone else to contact?" Katarina asked.
"I can try Tegan." Adric answered, "Hopefully after her ordeal with the Mara, she did not get herself under another evil's influence."
He then proceeded to contact Tegan.
-The-Host-Remastered-
Tegan walked over to where Laura was in the kitchen.
"Excuse me," Tegan asked, "Do you know where the bathroom is?"
"The restroom is to your right." Laura answered. The Aussie nodded and walked into the bathroom.
After doing her business, Tegan washed her hands in the sink when suddenly she saw Adric appearing in the mirror.
"Tegan!" Adric called out.
"Adric!" Tegan exclaimed, "What are you..."
She tried to turn around.
"No." Adric told her, "Do not turn around. I must tell you something."
"Well," Tegan scoffed, "What are you waiting for? Tell me."
"I am not in my own body at the moment." Adric proceeded to explain.
"What do you mean not in your own body at the moment?"
"I am in the soul world at the moment. My body is possessed. Possessed by an evil being named Aefriol."
"What?" Tegan gasped. She took a step back as she realized why "Adric" was acting the way he was over the past hour or two.
"You must warn the Doctor!" Adric told the Aussie, "The evil being that is inhabiting my body plans to take over the entire universe."
"Oh my god."
"I am scared, Tegan. I am feeling the dark emotions Aefriol has fed onto me. It will not go away."
"It will be alright, Adric. Fight the emotions! The Doctor will figure out a way to save you!"
Before the Alzarian could say anything else, his image faded from the mirror.
"Adric!" Tegan shouted.
-The-Host-Remastered-
Adric looked over at Sara, Katarina, Varsh, Gamora and Clint.
"Did it work?" Sara asked.
"Yes." Adric answered, "Tegan got my message. She will be able to tell the Doctor what has happened to me."
"That is good." Gamora replied, "Now it is only a matter of time before the Doctor finds out."
-The-Host-Remastered-
Tegan got out of the bathroom, startled by the revelation given to her. Aside from the Doctor, Adric helped her get through when she was completely possessed by the Mara, and now, she was determined to return the favor. Tegan was determined to save Adric from who or what ever is possessing his body. It was only a matter of telling the Doctor, but little did she know that Nyssa would also need to be saved by the being that was called Aefriol possessing Adric as well.
-The-Host-Remastered-
Natasha woke up next to Richie as the TV was playing Sirius XM and the song that was playing was the acoustic version of A ha's "Take On Me" that can be heard on the movie Deadpool 2.
"Good morning, Rich," Natasha snuggled next to her boyfriend.
"Morning, Nat," Richie smiled, snuggling his girlfriend. The pair noticed Amanda and Duncan were already dressed and ready.
"What time is it?" Natasha asked.
"I'm not sure," Richie answered. The pair looked at the clock on the TV after he pressed a button on the remote. It was 9:10 am.
"Man," Richie stated, "it's before noon."
"No kidding," Natasha quipped.
"Good morning, Auntie Natasha." Lila cheered as she arrived at the room. It was a good thing Lila was mature enough to see Richie shirtless, and Natasha was wearing a big white shirt.
"Hey Lila. You okay?" Natasha asked, glancing at her niece.
"Yeah. No. Not really." Lila reluctantly answered.
"You miss your dad?" Richie asked.
Lila sadly nodded.
"I miss him too," Natasha replied, "Even with all the time that has passed, not a day goes by that I do not think of him. Sometimes I wonder if I could have done things differently back on Vormir. I only wonder."
"Do not blame yourself," Lila assured her, "Dad sacrificed himself for all of us. Even if you were to have done it, the sacrifice would still be sad."
"You have a good point there."
"Ever since then, Mom and Gram would not allow us to follow in Dad's footsteps in being an Avenger after hearing about Dad's death."
"It is probably for the best. Your mom and grams just want you and your brothers to be safe."
"You are probably right there."
"I am definitely right there."
Natasha could not help but to wonder that there was something more to Lila's statement than what she was letting on. Whatever the case may be, she surely was not telling him what was wrong. Natasha could tell that Lila was currently unhappy for some reason that she was not addressing.
"Are you guys going to stay in bed all day?" Amanda asked as she walked into the room, "Duncan is expecting us to be at the TARDIS as soon as possible."
"No," Natasha shook her head, "we'll be up."
"And we'll be ready too," Richie added as he grabbed a shirt nearby.
-The-Host-Remastered-
Tegan looked as Nyssa stood up stretching from her bed. The Aussie couldn't help but to notice that the Trakenite's hair was darker than it was before, but that wasn't what was on her mind.
"Nyssa," Tegan stated, "There is something that has happened."
"Oh really?" Nyssa chided, obviously not letting her friend know what was going on.
"It's Adric." Tegan told her, "He...he is not himself."
"What makes you think that Tegan?"
"Well, he told me himself through some sort of projection where ever he was at." Tegan explained, "Adric is possessed by some evil being. We have to warn the Doctor because there is no telling what the being in Adric's body will do!"
"Tegan," Nyssa replied, "You are imagining things. Adric is fine. He was just tired of hearing you complain, that is all."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Well, you do complain a lot and Adric was sick of it. I know I am sick of hearing you complain. How do you think we feel about a person whining and complaining about themselves, wanting to go home and complain when they do not get to that location."
"Well excuse me for living!"
Tegan then stormed off. Nyssa rolled her eyes. Then, Aefriol walked into the room.
"Is everything alright, love?" Nyssa asked.
"I was only checking on what was going on." Aefriol answered, "I sensed that something seemed suspicious here."
"About that. Tegan kept going on about you Adric being possessed and that we should warn the Doctor about it."
"You do not think that she knows?"
"She mentioned something about Adric projecting himself."
"Impossible." Aefriol said to himself, "I thought the Dead Zone would have destroyed him by now. No matter."
Then he turned to face Nyssa, "We should make sure that she does not spread word to the Doctor! We are not about to let her, that Time Lord or anyone else spoil our plans."
Nyssa nodded, "I understand."
The two joined hands and headed to the kitchen to meet with Natasha, Richie, Duncan, Amanda, Laura, Lila, Nathaniel, Cooper, Tegan and the Doctor as they were unaware that the Highlander had overheard everything he had said to Nyssa.
"I am making breakfast. You hungry?" Laura asked.
"No thank you." Aefriol kindly answered, "I think we should be heading off."
"So soon?" the Doctor asked, "Adric, what is going on?"
"There is more going on than you think." Tegan stated.
"What she means is," Nyssa answered for Aefriol, "Adric is still a bit shaken from a horrible dream that he had last night. Something about his brother he told me."
"So I see." the Doctor nodded, "I notice that sometimes you lack an appetite when you have those kind of dreams."
Nyssa nodded at Aefriol and the being nodded, as he realized that was a good way to cover up for what had really happened. Not only was Tegan having suspicions, but Duncan was having suspicions as well.
"We had breakfast though." Natasha stated, "Laura, we thank you for letting us spend the night, but we really should be going."
"Are you sure?" Laura asked.
"More sure than you know," Duncan answered.
Laura brought the Doctor, Tegan, Aefriol, Nyssa, Natasha, Richie, Duncan, Amanda, and Lila, who insisted on going with them for this ride, headed back to the school where the TARDIS was.
Prumiva, meet us at the school. We will be there momentarily.
I shall be there right away, Master Aefriol.
-The-Host-Remastered-
The group arrived at the school where Aefriol was able to convince the Doctor to hand him the key to the TARDIS so that he and Nyssa could go inside.
"I'm not kidding, Joe," Duncan said as he was talking on the phone, "No. I know. It's exactly what Methos explained earlier. Thanks. We'll call you after we get this taken care of, and yes, we will be back afterwards. Thanks again, Joe."
With that, Duncan hung up his cellphone.
"How did Joe take it?" Amanda asked.
"He was annoyed," Duncan answered, "but he understood, but he said Methos is going to be annoyed missing out on something like this."
"That's to be expected," Richie replied, "I never thought we'd having adventures outside of Earth."
"Doctor, I do not think you should've done that." Tegan stated after "Adric" and Nyssa entered the TARDIS.
"Why is that, Tegan?" the Doctor replied, "Adric and Nyssa just wanted to go ahead and enter the TARDIS."
"Those two are keeping things from us," Duncan spoke up, "I don't like the looks of things. If it is that prophecy, then we're going to be in for trouble."
"That would be an understatement," Tegan quipped.
-The-Host-Remastered-
Aefriol and Nyssa were in front of the TARDIS as they met up with Prumiva.
"You are here, master!" Prumiva exclaimed, "I am so happy! So, who is this beautiful young lady that will be your new queen?"
"Prumiva," Aefriol introduced Nyssa to his servant, "This is Nyssa of Traken. One of such beauty."
"Indeed."
"Shall I get ready for the time?" Nyssa asked.
"Go on." Aefriol answered. Nyssa unlocked the door to the TARDIS and went inside. Aefriol and Prumiva joined her seconds later. They were unaware that another stowaway was coming on board as well, that being Lila Barton.
"Hide where the Doctor or that Aussie will not see you." Aefriol told Prumiva, "I will take things from here."
"Yes, master." Prumiva answered before vanishing.
Aefriol was setting the coordinates for Mylithos as he was setting his plan into full swing. He finished in time for the Doctor, Natasha, Richie, Amanda, Duncan and Tegan to arrive.
"Are you sure the prophecy is going to happen today?" Natasha asked.
"From what Methos told us," Duncan answered, "and how Adric and Nyssa are acting, it's heading down that road."
Even Richie and Amanda looked nervous upon hearing all this.
"What are you doing?" Tegan demanded.
"You should not worry about what I am doing." Aefriol replied, "I was only setting up coordinates for our next location. I think we are in need of what the Doctor calls a holiday."
"I can agree on that." Natasha replied.
"Well," the Doctor replied as the doors to the TARDIS closed, "where ever you have decided to take us, I think it might just be a good idea to have a holiday myself."
"Indeed," Aefriol smirked.
The TARDIS dematerialized and was on its way to the planet Mylithos.
"Where is Nyssa?" the Doctor asked.
"She is at her quarters." Aefriol answered, "She will join us shortly."
"Okay then."
The group was startled hearing a noise.
"What was that?" Amanda asked.
"It's coming from some of these boxes," Richie answered before he walked over to the area, and moved some boxes that were nearby and was surprised to see Lila as she had stowaway at the TARDIS.
"Lila?!" Natasha exclaimed.