The scene opens on Loona in I.M.P.'s office. Loona is sitting at the desk, staring at the piece of paper Ruffette gave her. She was contemplating texting her, but wasn't sure what to say.
Loona: *groans as she facepalms* …Fuck…
She lays her head on the desk, only for her phone to suddenly go off with a text. She lifts her head up with wide eyes as she looks at her phone, and just as she feared, it was Ruffette.
Ruffette's Text: Hey.
Loona starts to panic as she thinks of what to say back.
Loona: *quietly* O-Okay… M-Maybe I should say "hey" back?
She picks up her phone and takes a deep breath, then starts texting back.
It cuts to Ruffette in her room, sitting on her bed playing a small hand-held gaming system. Her phone suddenly goes off, making her pause her game and look at the message.
Loona's Text: Hey.
Ruffette sets her system down and picks up her phone, as it then changes to show a split-screen of the two girls texting, and their messages pop up between them.
Ruffette's Text: Honestly starting thinking you'd forgotten about me, lol
Loona's Text: Lot of shit came up at work, okay?
Ruffette's Text: I know, just messing with you. Wyd?
Loona's Text: Bored af right now, ngl
Ruffette's Text: Same. Wanna hang out?
Loona goes beet red in the face.
Loona's Text: Uh, sure. Doing what exactly?
Ruffette's Text: How bout a beach trip in the Envy Ring?
Loona went even more red, and her fingers shook as she typed the message.
Loona's Text: Fine by me.
Ruffette's Text: Sweet! I'll meet you there!
Ruffette's side of the split-screen vanishes, and Loona, still red in the face and her phone shaking in her hands, was left frozen.
Loona: *after what feels like a few minutes of silence* … What the fuck just happened?
The scene then changes to the beaches in the Envy Ring, with purple sands and seas. The beach was busy with demons of all types, with kids playing and having fun, while some adults were sunbathing or reading. Loona steps onto the beach, wearing a black bikini as she groans a bit.
Loona: *whispers* This is so fucking stupid… Why am I here? *looks around* She's probably not here yet, so maybe I can just slip away-
?: *off-screen* Loona, hey!
Loona's eyes widen as she looks in the direction of the voice, only for her to suddenly go as red as an Imp as her tail starts wagging at rapid fire.
Cut to a pan up as it shows Ruffette standing with her hands on her hips. She was dressed in black and pink bikini, and the ribbon in her hair was replaced with a pink sunhat, and she had black sunglasses over her eyes.
Ruffette: *lifts her shades up and smiles* You made it!
Loona: *wide eyed, mutters quietly* Holy fuck, all regrets are gone… *shakes her head and approaches Ruffette, slightly smiling* Ruffette, hey! Thanks for… y'know, inviting me out.
Ruffette: *chuckles* It's the least I can do. I mean, you definitely needed something else to do besides texting in your pop's office all day.
Loona: *chuckles* Heh, yeah… can get kinda boring there.
Ruffette: Everything getting back to normal after that one incident?
Ruffette was referring to the incident where Minnie walked into a portal to the living world because Loona had left it open.
Loona: Yeah, it's fine. I'm still not able to use the book, but they're trusting more.
Ruffette: Hey, that's better than nothing.
Loona: So, got anything planned out or... whatever?
Ruffette: Well, I hope you don't mind, but I may have invited some more friends of ours.
Loona: Oh, that's fine. Who'd you invite?
Lynn: *off-screen* HEAD'S UP, BITCH!!!
A volleyball suddenly zips past Loona's head, startling her. She looks and sees Lynn Kratos on a beach volleyball court, along with Luna Lyric, Sam Sharp, and Vortex.
Sam: Loona! What's up, girl?!
Loona: *surprised* Oh.
Ruffette: *she and Loona walk over* Yep. I invited the guys over. They needed to get away from Verosika.
Vortex: Translation: Blitzo did something stupid to her again.
Sudden cut to I.M.P. where Blitzo and Verosika are in a heated shouting match. Turns out, he wedged the I.M.P. company van between her and another car, scratching them both. Lincoln and Ronnie Anne were watching in annoyance.
Ronnie Anne: *whispers to Lincoln* How is this guy our boss again?
Lincoln: *whispers back* Answering that question would take all day.
Cut back to the beach.
Loona: *rolls her eyes* Yeah, that sounds like Blitzo, alright.
Lynn: Yo, Loon! How bout a 3-v-3? You, me and Ruffette against Tex and these chumps?
Loona: *smirks and picks up the dropped volleyball* I say bring it!
Loona tosses the ball up and spikes it hard, sending it past the screen to ignite a montage of beach fun. The volleyball game gets heated up until Lynn nails a point which Votrex almost caught.
Lynn: *Loona and Rufette cheer as she fist-pumps* Nailed it!
Vortex: *grins and picks up the ball* Oh, it's on now!
Vortex hits the ball up as Sam leaps and spikes it, but Loona was quick to hit it back. Luna hits it back as Ruffette just barely misses it.
Ruffette: Shit!
Luna: Oh yeah!
Vortex, Luna and Sam share a hi-five.
Lynn: Don't get cocky, bitches! This ain't over yet! *faces Loona and Ruffette* C'mon, guys! Let's do this!
Loona and Ruffette smirk at each other.
Loona: *picks up the ball* You assholes better bring it!
She spikes it hard, and the scene changes to Vortex, Luna, Lynn and Sam going surfing.
Lynn: *howls as she rides the wave* Fuck yeah, baby!!!
Luna: *howls* Whoo-hoo-hoo!!
Sam: *makes a "hang-ten" gesture* Surf's up, dudes!!
Vortex: *grinning while surfing on the tallest wave* Yo, check this out! *performs a triple backflip stunt and lands perfectly on his board*
Lynn/Luna/Sam: *all grin with awe* Awesome!!/Sweet, Tex!/10 out of 10!
Vortex: *calls out to Loona and Ruffette on the shore* Hey! You two wanna join up?!
Loona: *calls back* Nah, I'm good!
Ruffette: *calls back* Same!
Vortex: *calls out* Suit yourselves!!
Loona: *glances at Ruffette* So... what do you wanna do until the guys get back?
Ruffette: Well... *takes out some sunscreen while blushing a little* I could use some help with some sunscreen...
Loona's face goes completely red once more.
Loona: *stunned* Uh... *stammers a little* S-Sure...
Ruffette: *sees her face and smirks, getting more confident and flirtatious* Don't get any ideas, girl.
She playfully runs her tail along Loona's chin, making Loona redder as her tail wags. Ruffette then lays down on a towel.
Ruffette: *nods her head to her back* Get my back, please?
Loona: *still red in the face* ...Okay... *squirts some sunscreen on her hand and starts rubbing it on Ruffette's back*
Ruffette: *instantly feels relaxed as she sighs* Mmmm, that's relaxing...
Loona gently keeps rubbing Ruffette's back, even massaging it a bit. She was still beet red in the face. Meanwhile, Vortex, Luna, Lynn and Sam were walking on shore after a fun while of surfing. All of them were laughing.
Luna: *shakes her wet head* Those were some killer waves, dudes!!
Vortex: *grinning* No kiddin- *sees the scene between Loona and Ruffette, smirks a bit* Well, well.
Sam: What? *sees what he sees* Ohhhhhh.
Lynn: What are you- *Luna elbows her into looking, she grins* Aw, damn.
Luna: *smirks* Looks like Loona might be gettin' a girlfriend in the future.
Sam: Didn't know she swung both ways.
Lynn: I mean, she did call Bee hot when she first met her. *beat* Then again, who hasn't?
Ruffette: *sits up when Loona finishes applying the sunscreen, smiles* Thanks, Loona!
Loona: *smiles back, still red in the face* Yeah, uh... no problem.
A blinding flash of light suddenly startles the girls. When it goes away, they turn to see Vortex holding his phone out.
Vortex: *smirks as Luna, Lynn and Sam snicker* One for the Sinstagram, motherfucker.
Loona: *angry as Ruffette's entire face goes red* OH, YOU SON OF A-! *Vortex, and the other girls laugh over Loona's cursing*
Lynn: *laughing* Loon, chill! It's fucking cute!
Sam: *laughing* Yeah, girl! Ain't nothing to be embarrassed about!
Loona: *beet red* Sh-Shut up!
Loona looks away as the others keep laughing away, and a small smile forms on Ruffette's beet red face.
Later, it cuts to show the group enjoying a drink 'n' chat at a cafe table.
Loona: So, is working for Verosika really not that bad?
Lynn: *shrugs* It's got its ups and down, but she's a good boss.
Vortex: Heh, ain't that the truth. I'd have been left on the streets if it wasn't for her.
Loona: *surprised and concerned* Really?
Vortex: *nods, slightly growling* Shitty parents. How you think I got this? *points to his scarred and blinded eye*
Loona: Damn…
Ruffette: *cringes* Nasty…
Luna: *she and Sam frown* Assholes.
Vortex: But for real, what's the deal with Blitzo?
Lynn: Yeah. What's his fucking problem with Verosika?
Loona: *shrugs* Your guess is as good as mine... All I know is that he did something stupid that resulted in them breaking up.
Sam: Does he act like this all the time to people?
Loona: *nods* He does care about the people who love him, but it's like he's pushing other people away.
Lynn: Does he love you?
Loona: *sighs* He does, but every time, it's too much for me because he gets especially mushy. *scowls* It's really goddamn annoying.
Ruffette: Well, at the end of the day, the important thing is that he loves you. If he didn't, he probably would have never adopted you in the first place.
Luna: For real. So many Hellhounds are just seen as disposable dogs, and it's fucking disgusting.
Sam: *frowns* For real.
Vortex: You may not think it, but you're really lucky to have someone who cares a lot about you.
Loona: *thinks this over for a moment* Yeah...
Cut to a close-up of her mouth, where it curls into a small smile.
Loona: I guess you're right.
Cut to the full group, when Ruffette notices something off-screen and groans as she facepalms.
Ruffette: Oh for the love of Satan...
Lynn: *everyone looks at Ruffette* What is it?
Ruffette: *points off-screen, groaning* It's those two bitches, Vikki and Ruffie…
Everyone turns and sees Vikki and Ruffie at another table, laughing to themselves.
Vikki: *giggling* What?! Oh hell no she didn't!
Vortex: *cut back to them, he rolls his eyes in annoyance* Beautiful...
Loona: *to Ruffette* Guessin' they piss you off in some way?
Ruffette: You have no fucking idea…
Lynn: Ain't those the bitches that you got into an argument with at Bee's party, Loona?
Loona blinks before it goes to a flashback of Queen Bee, showing Loona's full-on argument with the two girls until she snaps and calls Vikki a bitch.
Loona: *now sharing Ruffette's look* Oh yeah…
Sam: You think they're gonna notice us?
Ruffette: Well, those two are so fucking egotistical, they might just stay focused on each other's conversation.
Vortex: *finishes writing the check* Either way, we're done here. *stands up* C'mon, there's still a bit of fun left to enjoy.
Ruffette: *huffs* Fine by me.
With that, the group walks out of the cafe with Vikki turning over and just missing them.
Ruffie: *raises an eyebrow* What's with you?
Vikki: *shrugs* Thought I heard something else.
Cut back to the friend group as they walk along the purple sand.
Loona: So what now?
Sam: *glances at the setting sun* Sun's goin' down, *gets an idea* and I know a great spot to view it. *walks off-screen* This way, dudes!
Cut to a viewing spot with a few benches just over the beach. Sam walks up to the railing.
Sam: *rests her hands over the railing with a smile* Check out this view.
Everyone walks up next to her, as they all look amazed.
Cut to show the sun, which was glowing a bright purple, slowly setting on the horizon and reflecting on the dark purple waves.
Luna: *amazed* You weren't kiddin', luv…
Lynn and Vortex: *amazed* Whoa.../Dude...
Loona was stunned enough to not say anything, but was startled to find Ruffette leaning against her, making her face go red.
Ruffette: *a faint blush is on her cheeks* Hey, guys... I'm really glad you all came today. I had tons of fun.
Luna and Sam look at Loona and smirk, and the former nudges Loona for her to say something.
Loona: *red-faced* Uh... g-glad you enjoyed it, Ruffette.
Loona slowly puts her arm around Ruffette's shoulder, making Ruffette blush more.
Vortex: *grins* Thanks for inviting us, girl. It was fun!
Lynn: *nods* You bet!
Ruffette glances at Loona before looking away, unsure. Then she sucks it up, faces Loona and quickly planted a kiss on her cheek. If Loona was red before, she was absolutely CRIMSON now, as her eyes were practically bulged out of their sockets and her tail was wagging at rapid fire.
Loona: *crimson faced, stunned as she thinks to herself* Did... DID SHE JUST FUCKING KISS ME?!
Luna, Lynn and Sam were full-time snickering as Ruffette looks away, her face even redder, but not as much as Loona's.
Vortex: *smirking* Well how bout that.
Ruffette: *red in the face, looking away from Loona, thinking to herself* Why did I do that?! Why did I do that?! Why did I do that?!
Loona looks at Ruffette, unsure of what to say, when…
Male Voice: *off-screen, sinister* Well, look who it is.
Loona's eyes bulge out more, before they narrow in pure rage as she snarls angrier than ever before, even crushing the railing in her hand. She turns around with a vicious snarl, seeing a burly male Imp littered with scars across his body.
Loona: *snarling* Gouge…
Gouge: *smirking* You've grown quite a bit, Loona. *his smirk turns into a frown* Too much for my liking, personally.
Lynn: You know this little bitch, Loona?
Loona just growls more as she clenches her fists hard enough to draw blood. Her rage rises more and more as the background changes to show a flashback of Loona, about 5 years old, being whipped and stabbed by Gouge, making her scream and cry in pain as other Hellhounds in the pound are either reeling from the aftermath of similar experiences, or shaking in fear at being next.
Gouge: *grins* Reminiscing, Loona? How about we "recreate" some of those memories?
Pissed beyond comprehension with Gouge's sarcasm, Loona screams and charges towards Gouge to deliver a gut punch, skidding him back a few feet. Gouge retaliates with a few swings of a large dagger, which Loona dodges before leaping back and pulling out a gun, opening fire on Gouge. Although Gouge takes a few bullets in the arms, he's relatively unfazed.
Gouge: Not bad, bitch!
Gouge runs in and gets right in front of Loona, ready to stab her, but that's when he's struck across the face by a double punch to the face from the two Zodiac Hounds, both transformed.
Luna: *snarls* I don't know what Loona's deal with you is, but no fucker is gonna hurt our friends!
Lynn: *growls* So fuck off, you sack of shit!
Gouge picks himself up, his jaw broken and one of his eyes swollen. He chuckles menacingly as a loud popping sound was heard, and the group was shocked to see his jaw relocating as the bullet wounds on his arms heal.
Vortex: *shocked snarl* Oh, fuck… Piece of shit got a healing factor?!
Gouge: *grins* A little gift from the Vees, in exchange for my loyalty.
The Hellhounds all snarl in anger. Gouge doesn't notice Sam pull out her phone and frantically text with one hand.
Cut back to I.M.P., where Lincoln and Ronnie Anne are looking absolutely annoyed with Blitzo and Verosika's argument, which hasn't stopped in the slightest. Just then, Lincoln's phone goes off, and he checks it.
Sam's Text: LINC! ENVY RING NOW! NEED HELP ASAP!
Lincoln's eyes widen, as he knows Loona and Vortex are at the Envy Ring, meaning they could be in danger too! Lincoln stands up and approaches the arguing idiots, then grabs them both by the back of their head and slams their heads together.
Blitzo and Verosika: OW!
Lincoln: Idiots!!! We need to get to the Envy Ring right now!!!
Blitzo: The fuck is your problem, Lincoln?!
Verosika: Seriously, that fucking hu-!
Lincoln: *enters his Zodiac form, absolutely pissed* LOONA, LYNN AND VORTEX ARE IN DANGER, YOU FUCKING DIPSHITS!!!
That made Blitzo and Verosika's eyes widen. Any anger towards each other and Lincoln was out the fucking window.
Blitzo: WHAT?!
Verosika: *looks at Blitzo* Temporary truce?!
Blitzo: Yes!!
Cut back to the Envy Ring as Vortex is slammed into the ground, held down by Gouge's hand. Gouge's hands had grown to twice their size, and had metal claws sticking out of the fingertips.
Gouge: *grinning like a psycho* How about I make that other eye match your blind one?!
Vortex kicks Gouge in the stomach, then throws him off. Gouge ends up flying back as Sam smashes a guitar over his head, sending him to the ground. Luna picks him up and sends him crashing with a strong kick, as Loona then leaps in and socks him across the face, before Lynn clotheslines him across the landscape. Gouge just gets back to his feet as his injuries heal like nothing happened, and he laughs evilly. Strangely, Ruffette is not present in the fight.
Gouge: *insane grin* I almost felt that…
He blitzes Luna and Lynn and punches them in the stomach, as ribs were heard breaking and their Zodiac forms briefly deactivated. He then slams their heads together and throws them into Sam and Vortex, sending all four of them crashing back as NOW the two lose their Zodiac forms. Gouge then blitzes Loona and grabs her by the neck.
Gouge: *furious* The day you got adopted was the worst fucking day of my life! You think you have the audacity to leave ME?! *grins evilly* I'll enjoy making you pay for-!
Suddenly, a red katana stabs through his arm as he screams, dropping Loona to the floor. Ruffette, the wielder of the sword, then pulls out a hi-tech gun and shoots him with an explosive bullet, blowing a large hole in his chest as he's sent flying back. The pistol then unfolds and transforms into a sheath as long as the sword's blade. Ruffette tosses her sword up and catches the blade in the sheath.
Loona: *stunned* Ruffette…?
Ruffette: *glances at Loona and helps her up* Sorry I had to leave. Forgot Vigilant Hound. *holds her sheathed sword up*
Gouge picks himself up, the wound in his chest healing.
Gouge: *snarls* So another bitch wants to play.
Ruffette: *glares as she steps up* I don't care what kind of healing you got. *draws out her sword again* You're fucking dead.
Gouge: *his fingers extend into metal claws again* Fat chance, bitch! *lunges at her* YOU'RE NEXT!!!
Ruffette and Gouge charge at each other and start slicing, with Ruffette getting a good slash on Gouge's chest and drawing blood. She's able to block Gouge's multi slash and counters it, then tries cutting through Gouge diagonally, but Gouge catches her blade in his hands. He counters it and pushes back Ruffette's blade, then slashes Ruffette across the stomach. She skids back, seeing small cuts.
Loona: Ruffette! *about to run in*
Ruffette: *stops her* No, Loona! I can handle this! *glares at Gouge as she takes a stance* Let's dance!
Ruffette dashes forward and gets a couple of stabs and slashes on Gouge, tearing through his flesh. Gouge tries attacking back but it is blocked as Ruffette delivers a massive combo that sends him crashing through a building. Gouge painfully picks himself up as he sees his entire left arm is hanging by a thread of flesh. He pops his arm back into place as the rest of his wounds heal. Stepping out of the building, he looks around for Ruffette.
Gouge: No use hiding, bitch!
Ruffette drops down and stabs him in the back as he shouts in pain. She kicks Gouge off her sword and blitzes at him, slashing over and over and over again, before hitting him with a kick that sends Gouge flying back. Gouge picks himself up and leaps forward to slash Ruffette, but she avoids it and jumps onto higher ground. She then smugly does the "come here" gesture. Gouge screams in rage as he scales the building with his claws, then the two clash again until Ruffette kicks Gouge into the air. She sheathes her sword again as it charges with demonic energy.
Ruffette: I WILL END YOU!!!
She then delivers intense black and red slashes that even cut through the entire roof of the building. Gouge is left in pieces as Ruffette then stabs her sword into his head, and the pieces seem to go limp. She sighs and rips it out, before sheathing the sword.
Cut back to the others, who were picking themselves up, just in time for Lincoln, Ronnie Anne, Blitzo and Verosika to arrive.
Blitzo: Loony! *rushes to his daughter and helps her up* What the fuck happened?! Are you okay?!
Loona: *coughs a bit* Yeah, I'm fine, Blitzo…
Verosika helps Vortex and Lynn to their feet, while Lincoln and Ronnie Anne help Luna and Sam up.
Ronnie Anne: Everyone okay?
Luna: We've been better…
Lynn: That fucker is strong…
Ruffette: *off-screen* Everyone okay?!
The group looks and sees Ruffette rushing over.
Loona: Yeah, we're fineâ Where's that bastard at?
Ruffette: He's gone limp, so I think he's gone for go-
Ruffette suddenly freezes with wide eyes as everything goes quiet. Loona's eyes widen in horror, as does everyone else's. Vigilant Hound falls from Ruffette's hand as Gouge's claws are stabbed through her chest. Gouge, whose body was slowly reattaching and healing, lifts Ruffette up and throws her across the beach as her body goes limp.
Gouge: *snarls as his wounds reclose* Fucking whore…
Loona stares at the limp Ruffette as a loud ringing noise is heard in her ears. Her pupils shrink down as her teeth slowly begin to clench and grind against each other. A familiar red and black aura starts to flare around her, catching everyone's attention.
Lincoln, Ronnie Anne, Luna, Lynn: *eyes widen* Oh shit!
Verosika: *surprised* The hell?
Loona's eyes go completely blood red as the red and black aura blazes around her completely, her fur going wild as her teeth and claws sharpen to double the length.
Loona: *demonic roaring* I'LL FUCKING KILL YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loona blitzes to Gouge and kicks him across the jaw, ripping the entire jaw off. Before he can hit the ground, Loona grabs him by the arm and pulls him in, then slamming her head against his. She then jams her claws through his stomach and rips his intestines out, then ties them around his neck and aggressively tightens it, choking him. She then hurls him into the air, holding the other end of the intestines, then pulls him back down. His neck snapped as he fell, Loona then slammed her knee into his back as a sickening bone snap was heard. Slamming him into the ground, Loona then slams her foot through his chest, crushing his heart, then starts clawing his already mangled face over and over. She then ruthlessly rips his legs off and starts bashing his slowly healing head in over and over and over again.
Blitzo: *stunned* I don't know whether to be proud or terrified!!
Lincoln: *snarls* If Loona loses focus on that piece of shit, definitely terrified!! It's Hellhound Bloodlust, and since she's not a Zodiac Hound, it's much harder for her to control!!
Gouge lets out a gurgled shout as he throws a punch to Loona's face, but she bites his wrist, then yanks him up and punches him HARD across the face, twisting his head around 180 degrees. She then slams him into the ground a few times, before spinning him in a bloody tornado and hurling him through the air, causing him to skip across the water like a stone in the lake, before he sinks underwater, turning the purple seas black in one spot. Loona then slowly begins to turn towards the others, snarling and growling like a rabid beast.
Vortex: *calmly* H-Hey, Loon… Easy now… It's us, your friends…
Loona just roars and snarls in response, taking menacing steps towards the groupâ at least until a giant lobster claw gives her neck a light pinch, knocking her out of the Hellhound Bloodlust and out of consciousness. Everyone looks surprised, only to see the massive and towering figure of Leviathan climbing out of the water.
Lincoln: *surprised* Leviathan?!
Leviathan: *holds up the weakened, mangled and slowly healing Gouge in one of his tentacles* Anyone wanna explain who I found this trash in my kingdom?
Sam: It's a long story, big man. But right now, we need to get Ruffette to a hospital!!
Leviathan: *sees the limp Ruffette* Say no more.
Cut to the Sloth Ring as Ruffette is resting in a hospital bed, her wounds patched up as an oxygen mask is rested over her nose and mouth. Belphegor herself was looking her over.
Belphegor: I don't know how, but those blades thankfully managed to miss her heart and lungs. I'd say she should be back on her feet in about… 2 to 3 weeks.
Blitzo: And what about Loony?
Belphegor: Aside from some minor injuries, she's okay. She'll be able to head home tonight.
Lincoln: And that dickhead they were fighting?
Cut to Gouge chained up to a massive boulder, sinking to the bottom of the Envy Ring oceans, the waters drowning out his screaming.
Cut back to Belphegor.
Belphegor: Little importance… *yawns*
Cut to Ruffette's hospital bed as Loona, bandaged and healed, is sitting next to her bed, her head hung.
Loona: *quietly* I'm sorry I let you get hurt, Ruffette… I should've helped instead of forcing you to fight alone…
She gently holds Ruffette's hand, only to feel the unconscious Hellhound's grip on her own hand tighten. Loona looks at Ruffette in surprise, but then slowly and softly smiles. She then stands up and gives the unconscious Ruffette a light kiss on the cheek. Her eyes then shifted to Ruffette's sheathed weapon, which was leaning against the wall. She walks over and picks the sword up, unsheathing it as the red blade reflects the determined look in her eyes.
Loona: *determined* Ruffette… Until you wake up, maybe even after that… I'll fight your battles for you. *her eyes briefly flare red* And that's a fucking promise.
A/N: I'm sorry if this chapter feels rushed around the end.