COLD❄BLOOD/Story Expansions/BITTER💊SCARS

Released sometime after COLD❄BLOOD's release was BITTER💊SCARS, an expansion pack that continues the story of Zinfestation ten years into the future after its conclusion. This time, the character in focus is Mallory Zin, who has to deal with the mental consequences of her actions while protecting new family and friends from a familiar foe that's followed her to Zeurth and threatens to take out everyone she knows. She must take responsibility and end what she's started, averting further consequences of her actions from forever ago. Mallory is aided by several new allies she meets at the Zaxiverse Galactic Prison and at her new Zeurth home, including major characters Altha Thwamor and Bidziil Rosewell, during her journey to fight off this foe as well as her own bitter scars. Valerie Heartgold, a prominent character from Zinfestation, plays a major role later in to take out this foe as she knows it too. And the main question is, can Mallory really change?
The player plays almost exclusively as Mallory Zin in the campaign missions initially, but later on the player also plays as Valerie Heartgold and even as Altha and Bidziil. Please do not read this followup to Zinfestation if you haven't read the main story first. Once you've read that, return here and catch up back here.
==BITTER💊SCARS: Main Story==
===Prologue===
:4:30 P.M. · WEDNESDAY November 5th, ZXE-223
:Zaxiverse Galactic Prison
Mallory is shown getting taken off to prison by a group of guards, her wrists shackled as she walks dejectedly over to her prison cell. For all the damage she's caused, she's going to have to either stay there forever or do an extreme amount of work to clean her slate. And that slate is incredibly filthy right now.
:Officer #1: Remember what the judge said, Mallory. You have to do 30,000 hours of community service or you're going to be in here for the rest of your life. And you really need to be on your best behavior the whole time.
:Mallory: I understand.
:Officer #2: Yeah, we must've beaten that into your head a dozen times now, huh? Sorry.
:Mallory: It's fine really, it's better that I remember what I'm in for anyway.
Mallory scowls a little as the two officers push her into a dirty prison cell, with crimson electronic lasers shooting up from the floor to keep her in. The walls and ceiling become covered with those lasers too, practically trapping Mallory in a box.
:Mallory: So when am I going to start helping you guys recreate Satellite 15?
:Officer #2: We have to talk with the satellite's judge and whatever remains of the satellite's government to figure out what exactly we're going to do. Just stay quiet for now.
:Officer #1: We do need someone to keep an eye on you though, because we don't really trust you to be unmonitored. For all we know, this is some ruse you're setting up.
Mallory sighs a little, nodding her head in reluctant agreement.
:Mallory: I get it.
:Officer #1: Alright. Don't make any attempts to escape, we'll be watching you through cameras as we eat lunch.
:Officer #2: We missed out on lunch to drag you over here, so excuuuuuuuuse us.
Mallory watches them walk away. She sighs and leaps on her stiff prison bed, sitting up and staring at the wall. There was virtually nothing she could do in the prison cell besides sit in bed. All her "friends" were gone, either living better lives or lost somewhere in the afterlife because of her.
:Mallory: I've really fucked up, huh?
Mallory extends her hands out in front of her. They looked beautiful and glistened brightly in the light provided by the lasers around her, but for the first time in her life, Mallory didn't feel a sense of beauty by staring at them. These were hands used to hurt, murder, and destroy. And she had been oblivious as to how much damage she really had done until now, and she had realized it far too late.
:Mallory: I don't even know what to say about myself.
:???: Pssh, like you've got it bad, beautiful.
Who was that? Mallory loos up, seeing that across from her was a cell holding another criminal. He has very crooked stained teeth and very baggy and dirty clothes, and was suffering from gangrene on his fingers and toes. He was sitting on his bed, staring at her.
:Mallory: I... I don't know if I should take that as a compliment.
:???: What are ya in prison for, hottie?
:Mallory: Ummm, well, destroying a whole satellite?
:???: Psssssh, that's nothin'! Ol' Max here accidentally sold the information of a hundred thousand children across the world to a criminal organization that claimed to be a reliable charity group for disabled kids! And so dozens of little kiddies were kinda hurt by my lack of research. Erm, I've been 'ere for 30 or so years?
:Mallory: I don't know, I kinda made about a million people homeless and killed a lot of people.
:Max: I suppose fair point, but oi you can only really destroy a satellite once before you go "ah crap that was a bad idea", meanwhile the generations of people part of that criminal organization are probably still out there hurtin' children. I get a lotta angry phone calls still these days 'cuz I was a dumbass.
:Mallory: Well Max, that was an accident right? I kinda destroyed Satellite 15 on purpose.
:Max: Honey baby, it doesn't really matter. I got a long sentence 'cuz I didn't admit to selling info about those kiddos, but ya were honest right? Ya've got room to regret and change!
:Mallory: Thank you, but why are you still here? You've been acting fine it seems.
:Max: Ermmm, hmmm, can I not tell ya that?
:Mallory: I mean, if I'm being honest, why can't you?
:Max: I was kinda datin' an inmate, that crap ain't allowed by the prison rules. She hates me now, she's passed on the rumors that I like to do the shit that criminal organization liked to do. So everyone hates me now!
:Mallory: You poor, poor soul.
:Max: I was a fool, beautiful! Anyway, what's yer name?
:Mallory: I'm Mallory Zin.
:Max: Deadass?
:Mallory: Yeah.
Max grins at her from his cage, one of his teeth falling out as he does.
:Max: Oh, I've heard all 'bout ya then! Maybe it's because I'm from Satellite 14 and not from the neighboring 15 colony, but I find it in my heart to forgive ya.
:Mallory: Well I don't hold anything against you for your mistakes. I mean, it's not like you tried to do crappy things, right?
:Max: Yeah, yer right. I used to be the head of education on Satellite 14 and one huge screw-up was all it took to take me here. Can we be friends Mal? I'm hella lonely here.
:Mallory: Yeah sure.
:Max: Alright! I'll be seein' ya at dinner time then.
Suddenly, some doors are heard opening. Max scrambles back into his bed as the two officers walk down the hallway, staring into Mallory's cage.
:Officer #1: Unless you choose to be here forever, you'll be helping reconstruct the satellite every day until it's done. And you'll be starting next Monday, which would be on the 10th.
:Officer #2: We've got two people to introduce to you, both of whom will be overseeing your progress.
The officers part to let two people through. One was a man with a huge frame, whose muscles appear to flex as he walks, his bushy beard very apparent to Mallory. The other was a tall woman with long pink hair and jellyfish earrings, her purple eyes fluttering at her.
:Bidziil: I'm Bidziil, a member of the Damage Control organization and I'll be the one overseeing your progress. I was asked to monitor your progress because you're infamously powerful and someone with my level of strength and ambition needs to keep a close eye on you.
Bidziil flexes his arms, showing off his strength. Mallory noted how husky and gravelly his voice was, it was unlike any other voice she's ever heard. Well, except maybe Scotch's.
:Bidziil: There's no conceivable way you're going to mess up around me. If you want to clear your slate, I'm going to make you work very hard to do it.
:Altha: And I'm Altha! I'm one of those so-called "Guardian Angels" that's been sworn in to keep an eye on you during prison hours. Like everyone else with my role, I soothe and calm the troubled and keep them in check.
Altha smiles as she bows at Mallory. She sounds very gentle, as if she could burst out into song at any moment. Mallory smiles at her, but her attention was definitely focused on Bidziil. His huge frame was impossible to ignore.
:Bidziil: I'll be seeing you on the 10th, Mallory, at 8AM sharp. Don't be late.
Bidziil turns away and leaves the room, leaving Altha there.
:Officer #1: Alright, we're going to let Altha into your prison cell now. You'll have her to talk to and express your feelings to. Everything you tell her will be non-confidential, so we won't know a thing.
The second officer shuts down the lasers leading into Mallory's cell, letting Altha step in. The officer also turns a valve, allowing Mallory and Altha to make use of clean water.
:Officer #2: Altha, remember that you aren't allowed to sleep with Mallory, join showers or baths with her, pass on food to her, be loud with her, or hurt her. Sleep in your sleeping bag only and deny Mallory access to it at all costs. You know that your job is to eye her and soothe her, and nothing more.
:Altha: Yes, officer.
:Officer #2: You sure?
:Altha: You people really act like I'd do such criminal things! I know what my job is.
:Officer #2: Very well. We have to keep an eye on the rest of the prison, so we have to trust you.
The first officer turns off the security camera keeping an eye on Mallory, walking away from them after turning the laser system back on. Mallory and Altha are trapped behind bars together.
:Altha: The rules they impose in prison kinda suck, so let me know if you need anything, alright Mal?
:Mallory: Alright, just be careful though, I don't really want to be in more trouble than I'm already in.
:Altha: Of course! Do know that I have to watch for Max too, since his camera was disabled.
Max springs up.
:Max: Wot?
:Altha: Yeah! I have to keep an eye on you too, Max.
:Max: That's alright by me! Mal honey, ya've got two friends 'ere now! Maybe we should all do somethin' together sometime? Like maybe a game of Scrabble or whatever?
:Altha: Sounds good to me!
:Mallory: Of course.
Mallory smiles as she looks at Altha and Max. She had forgotten, at least for the moment, just what kind of horrible mess she's in.
:Mallory: Prison can't really be that bad, right? I mean, with you two here, what can possibly go wrong?
:8:02 A.M. · MONDAY November 10th, ZXE-223
:Satellite 15 Reconstruction Zone
Mallory is taken to the Satellite 15 Reconstruction Zone by a pair of officers, who drop her off at a big steel platform that's surrounded by a huge air bubble and then leave. Bidziil's standing at the edge of the platform, looking off into the distance and folding his arms. There was miles upon miles of scrap metal in front of him floating mid-space.
:Bidziil: You're late, Mallory Zin.
:Mallory: Sorry, I took a bit longer in the restroom than I should have.
:Bidziil: Maybe I'd be willing to forgive your tardiness if you make a good first impression on me today. So as you can tell, there is no satellite present right now. Not even a moon we can drill through to make a new one. We have to start from scratch because we lack a planet that's big enough to drill through.
:Mallory: Wait, how am I going to build the satellite?? I'm a puny human being without my Mind Weaver!
:Bidziil: That was your signature tool, right? No fear, you can have it back.
Bidziil pulls it from one of his pockets, tossing it over to Mallory who catches it.
:Bidziil: To reconstruct the satellite, you have to read these blueprints and use your brain to take all the scrap metal I created in front of you and reshape it into something that looks a lot like the satellite you used to have.
:Mallory: This shouldn't take up all my community service time, right? This should be simple!
:Bidziil: Not so fast. Remember that bigger masses take more strain to control, and it takes even more strain to morph mass into different shapes. You may only have to rebuild the structure and shape of the satellite, but you have to recreate it internally and make an environment we can safely build in.
:Mallory: Huh??
:Bidziil: After every half a dozen of months, I expect you to finish constructing some important part of the satellite. You will be constructing the Docking Haven, the Satellite Lobby, and all four planned sectors from scratch, and that's not even mentioning New Naxaz City. Which we're renaming Silvopolis, by the way.
:Mallory: And you expect me to do all of this by myself??
Mallory was floored.
:Bidziil: Yes! But if you're nice about it, I might ask a couple of people to help you out. Penny Wisyneat's been looking for something to do, so if you wanna give her something meaningful to help out with, be on your best behavior.
:Mallory: I suppose that's fair.
:Bidziil: Alright, so we're going to make you work on recreating New N- I mean, Silvopolis first. And if you don't finish the frame network of it within two months, I'm going to give you a bad time.
Mallory knew that Bidziil wasn't messing around, his voice clearly meant serious business. Raising her Mind Weaver, Mallory sighes as she begins to move around some of the huge metal parts. Her teeth clench hard as it becomes clear that stress was building alarmingly fast in her head, making her drop her weapon very quickly.
:Mallory: W-What the hell?
:Bidziil: Hurts, doesn't it?
Bidziil folds his huge arms together.
:Bidziil: You can't cheese this, Mallory. You have to start small and work your way up.
Mallory took a moment to clear her head before picking up the Mind Weaver. Even one big piece of scrap metal was straining her head, but it wasn't bad enough to stop her from trudging it to its destination. Mallory spends the next few hours doing this over and over again, fusing pieces of metal together as she sweats hard, her teeth clenched as she makes much of Silvopolis' new floor.
:Bidziil: You're making considerable progress Mallory, I'm impressed. You must be dedicated to wanting to live a better life. How's your head doing?
:Mallory: F-Fucking horrible.
:Bidziil: Can't be even slightly harsher than how close Zodiez's brain was to exploding when she discovered you blew up her satellite. You don't yet know the pain! Keep going.
:Mallory: I-I have to do this for h-how long?
:Bidziil: About 30,000 hours. You've served at least five of them so far.
:Mallory: Oh god.
:Bidziil: Enough yapping! Back to work!
Mallory grumbles as she continues. As a few more hours pass, Mallory's shown kneeling down on the floor, her brain throbbing horribly as she appears to drown in her own sweat. This was like torture to her, putting up with head-splitting pain as she tries to rebuild what she thought to destroy.
:Bidziil: You feeling fatigued yet?
:Mallory: God, ahhh... I might have pushed myself too hard.
:Bidziil: You've served ten hours so far. If you keep going at this rate, it will take you roughly eight years to get out of here. Maybe it's time you took a break and return to your cell.
Mallory ignored him as she kept trying to do her work. She'd continue longer, kneeling down as her head laid down on the floor, with Bidziil covering it with ice packs to keep her from exploding. She'd continue for about another five hours, finishing a good portion of Silvopolis' frame. There was still a lot of work to go through, so it really didn't look like much if you considered the whole picture.
:Bidziil: Sixteen hours is enough, Mallory! It's midnight!
Bidziil pulls her off the floor, ripping the Mind Weaver out of her hand. Mallory looked horribly shaken, her body weak as she let out a deep sigh. He grumbled as he snapped his fingers, taking himself back outside Mallory's cell.
:Altha: What the heck did you do to her?
:Bidziil: She overworked herself considerably today, she did sixteen hours of community service. If she continues this cycle every day for the rest of her imprisonment, she'll be able to escape within five years. That'd be impressive, but I highly doubt she'd be able to handle that kind of work again tomorrow.
:Altha: You could have killed her!
:Bidziil: She was the one that chose to overwork herself, I tried to tell her to return to her cell six hours ago but she wouldn't listen, eventually it became too much for my eyes to bear.
Bidziil shakes his head and sighs, passing the fatigued and unresponsive Mallory into Altha's hands.
:Bidziil: I know it's against prison protocol, but please feed her or something. She hasn't eaten all day and she needs all the help she can get.
:Altha: Will do!
:Max: Can I do anythin', handsome?
:Bidziil: If you can tell Mallory to take it easy and go back to her cell when she needs to, Max, I would be highly appreciative of that. I was annoyed with her this morning for being tardy but I didn't mean for her to exert out all of her energy like that.
:Max: She's a craaaaaaaazy woman, I know that much! Sure though, I'd be glad to help.
:Bidziil: Thank you.
Bidziil leaves the prison cell by snapping his fingers, leaving Altha to look over Mallory.
:Max: She alright?
:Altha: Yeah she's doing okay, her heart's still beating. She's just not conscious right now and she'll recover soon enough.
:Max: Maybe we shouldn't have invited her to the Sunday prison gaming club, 'cuz all that thinking she had to do yesterday made her very tired by the end of it.
:Altha: Meh, I think she just worked too hard today, she was in like perfect condition this morning.
:Max: Oh.
Max waves his fingers at Mallory. His green, rotting fingers. Like how he lost a tooth last Wednesday, his right ring finger finally comes off.
:Max: You'll be aight, Mallory!
:Altha: She will be.
Altha smiles as she tucks Mallory into her bed, giving her some spoonfuls of applesauce and helping her swallow it down before tucking herself inside her sleeping bag.
:Altha: Alright Max, we better head to sleep. You wanna go with Mallory tomorrow to keep an eye on her? I don't think it's fair that Bidziil has to examine her for sixteen hours in a row.
:Max: Only if you wanna go, sugar sweet!
:Altha: Oh I'll go, I just wanted to see if you'd be willing to support her as a friend.
:Max: 'Course! I've really grown to like her.
Some flashbacks play of scenes we haven't seen before that've taken place over the past couple of days. Mallory's shown playing Scrabble with Max and Altha in the first, eating spaghetti with them in the next, and playing rock-paper-scissors with both to pass the time in the last.
:Max: Let's-a-go!
:7:58 A.M. · TUESDAY November 11th, ZXE-223
:Satellite 15 Reconstruction Zone
The next day, Mallory arrives on time with Altha and Max in close pursuit. While Altha manages to keep herself together, Max collapses on the floor. He shrugs as he moves his way across the floor like he were a worm, doing this so fast he doesn't even look human. Bidziil looks behind himself.
:Bidziil: You made it early this time, Mallory. I suppose your friends are here to watch you?
:Altha: Yeah you can leave this to us, we'll watch over Mallory, she knows what to do.
:Mallory: I think I know how I wanna do this, Bidziil.
Mallory is given her Mind Weaver back by Bidziil. She smiles as she walks up to the huge pile of scrap metal floating out in the middle of space.
:Mallory: Now that I know what it takes to rebuild the satellite, and now that I know how to do it, I feel like it's going to be a piece of cake to place it all back together!
:Bidziil: Don't get too cocky Mallory, you were hardly hanging on to yourself last night.
:Mallory: I know that now, but I'm positive I've got this.
Mallory looks at Max.
:Mallory: Kick it!
Max pulls out a radio from his shirt pocket using one of his stupidly long teeth, using that tooth to turn it on and play some Korn music. Mallory cracks her fingers as she walks over to the scrap metal pile, a montage of scenes beginning to play for the player:
:Bidziil: Don't stop, Mallory, you've got this in the bag!
:Mallory: Haha, hell yeah!
Mallory strains herself to begin piecing together a good chunk of Silvopolis, waving her arms around and tilting her head around to seam things together or move them around. Through closing her eyes and concentrating, she makes things come together faster and better than before, making Bidziil grin.
:Max: Ya've got this, beautiful!
In another scene, this time taking place the following year, we see Mallory sweating profusely as she begins to form the inner parts of each of the satellite's four sectors, forming entrances into the soon-to-be-made satellite lobby and satellite core rooms as well.
:Altha: You're really strong, Mallory! You've already put together half the main dome of Silvopolis and the framework is coming along excellently! [does a thumbs up] Don't forget to take breaks when you need to!
The next shown scene has Mallory stressfully picking up the satellite's separately made sectors a few years later, about to connect them into the completed dome of Silvopolis.
:Bidziil: I'm proud of you, Mallory!
Mallory feels tears soak down her cheeks as this trauma-inducing work clouds her brain, making her strain every muscle in her brain to fit everything together. When an asteroid comes along and knocks one of those sectors towards her, Bidziil skids in front of her and makes a REALLY hard punch that knocks it away from her, jumping to help her fit in the sector. None of the floors of these sectors were finished yet, but if you look closely, you could see the likes of Penny Wisyneat and Xihuitl rebuilding Silvopolis with a big Silver statue in the very middle.
:Max: Nice save, Bidziil!
:Bidziil: Mallory's been really putting in the work, so rather than letting that sector go to waste, I decided it'd be better to help preserve it because she deserved that.
Mallory strains herself to start working on the Docking Haven, Korn music making her ears bleed (in a good way?), her teeth clenching terribly hard as she keeps her focus intact. She was unfazed by almost getting crushed by the sector she worked hard to build.
:Altha: She really is more complex than I've taken her for, she destroyed all of Satellite 15 willingly in the past but she's just as willing to put it back together. Could her old villainy just been misguided envy and anger that she didn't know how to control?
:Max: That kinda shit will never excuse her from her actions in the past, but goddamn people really aren't as black and white as society makes 'em out to be. Even if they turn out to be monsters
:Altha: Yeah, I think something that a lot of people overlook is just how complicated people can be. Like, hm, how do I put this? Mallory was a person with good intentions and didn't really mean to harm people intentionally at first, but with time she kinda, devolved. But she never lost herself completely.
:Max: Wasn't her whole moon destroyed or somethin' according to the Dream Weaver?
:Altha: I'm gonna assume her short-lived reunion with Silver evoked enough emotion and reaction out of her to restore her sanity. Or something like that.
Max nods. It's worth noting that he's just a moving pile of bones at this point. How is he still alive?
:Max: Aye. I'm just glad she's doin' better.
:Altha: As long as she remembers that her past is over and done with the moment she gets out of prison, I think she's going to live a long, swell live. She means a lot to me right now.
:Bidziil: Can't believe I'm going to say this, but I care for her too. I don't forgive her for destroying the whole damn satellite, but I commend her for trying to piece it back together and she clearly cares about her consequences right now.
:Max: Thank god she didn't do anything that criminal organization did.
Mallory continues hard at work as we get another glimpse into the future. Five years after she started her work, she finished her work. But while we see a remodeled Satellite 15 in the background, Mallory is shown doing repairs for the neighboring Satellite 16, which had to deal with a meteor collision rather recently.
:Bidziil: Alright Mallory, your hours are all up. I can't believe I'm saying this, but you're free to go. Thank you for not just reconstructing Satellite 15, but also for doing the extra credit and using the remaining hours to help repair another satellite. That was really generous of you.
:Mallory: T-Thank you.
Mallory looks horribly weak. She was sweating all over, blood was pouring from her ears, and her whole body looks limp and fragile. Her back looks horrible too, suggesting she broke it at some point while hard at work. Several bruises and scratches were shown on her skin; while she never had to do physical labor, she had to scratch and itch herself to concentrate her pain elsewhere, meaning she bled a lot as she worked. Her brain feels like mush to her, and hearing that she could finally be released made her fall into Bidziil's arms out of relief.
:Bidziil: Uh, yikes. This isn't the first time that's happened, but I was certainly hoping to hear how she'd react to such wonderful news, haha. Alright, Altha.
Bidziil jumps off Satellite 16's exterior, holding Mallory as he lands on a metal platform.
:Altha: Yeah?
:Bidziil: Mallory's sentence is up. She's spent 30,000 hours of her life straining herself to hell and back to rebuild Satellite 15 and she must be escorted out of the Zaxina System immediately. I need you to take her to a completely new system and stay with her as her Guardian Angel.
:Altha: Understood, Bidziil.
:Bidziil: Mallory might have cleaned her slate, but a public poll across Satellite 15's previous residents shows that at least 93% of the satellite's people still hate her and are unwilling to forgive her for the crimes she's caused. She needs to be taken away, far, far away. I'll catch up with her and all since I like her now, at least much more than I originally did, but point is she needs to be gone.
Altha nods, picking up Mallory's limp body.
:Bidziil: Max's sentence is over now too, as we finally believe that what he did was an accident, so feel free to take him with you since nobody really likes Max either.
:Max: Damn, you didn't need to rub it in.
Max picks up his disembodied head from the floor and screws it back in.
:Altha: Okay, how is he still alive?
:Max: I've got funny DNA injections to keep me going, baby!
Altha laughs as Bidziil snaps his fingers, bringing a space pod over to the group of three.
:Bidziil: Mallory's journey certainly isn't over yet, I know that much, Altha. Take good care of her, since I know she's still troubled. She's certainly had good times in this place, but I've seen her cry and slow down because of the things she's tried to leave behind in the past many times.
Bidziil looks away.
:Bidziil: With bitter scars like those, I imagine she's going to have trouble living a stable life. The past will likely haunt her for the rest of her life, such horrible things won't disappear from memory. Stay with her and make sure she stays healthy and sharp, or we could get the sequel nobody wants to Satellite 15's Zinfestation.
Altha nods as she boards the space pod, placing the unconscious Mallory up in a seat.
:Altha: We're heading to my home planet, Zeurth. She'll be well away from the Zaxina System, I'll guarantee that she'll never ever come back. Her time here is done.
Altha shrugs.
:Altha: I think she'll like her new home though even if I have to restrict where she can go.
:Bidziil: Sounds good. Best of luck to you, Mallory, and Max.
:Max: Ahaha, I'm gonna be an uncle!
:Altha: What makes you say that?
:Max: I dunno, you and Mallory look like a lovely couple.
We see a montage of things that have happened over the past couple of years outside of Mallory's work. We see Mallory and Altha eating noodles together on a number of occasions, exercising together in the gym on the weekends, playing Scrabble and such games by midnight, drinking loads and loads of coffee, and even from time to time sleeping in the same bed while Altha holds a gun out to take out passing-by officers. Max shown hanging out with Mallory too, clinking mugs with her and helping sneak in the prison pantry for food she'd love to have.
:Altha: Heh, you might be onto something, Max. Let's head off.
Altha opens up a panel in the space pod.
:Altha: Take us to Zeurth please.
The space pod flies far off into space, leaving Bidziil behind.
:Bidziil: Good luck.
===Chapter One: Settling Down===
:10:06 P.M. · MONDAY January 21st, ZXE-229
:Mallory's Home, Zeurth
After completing her sentence and exhibiting good behavior, Mallory's managed to get off the hook. It took five years of extremely irritating work and patience to rebuild Satellite 15, but she managed to power herself through it. As we speak, we see Mallory and Altha walk together to their new home on the marine planet Zeurth, a world of coral beds, clear plastic tubes, forests of seaweed, and the like in the ocean. Many sirens and mermen lived around them, as well as jellyfish people much like Altha herself. Mallory smiles sweetly as she walks up to her brand-new front doors.
:Mallory: Can't believe I'm going to finally live in peace.
:Altha: I can't even imagine how you feel, knowing you as well as I do. Here's hoping all goes well for you this time!
Altha walks up to the seashell-shaped home, pulling apart the Japanese-esque sliding doors leading inside. Mallory sees lamps made from anglerfish lights, chairs made from sponges, turtle-shaped windows, and several expensive antiques made from seashells and undersea treasures resting on Greek pillars. Everything looks very furnished and clean, down to the 270-degree coral couch.
:Altha: Welcome home, Mal!
:Mallory: Holy shit, this place looks incredible!
Mallory runs inside with a big grin on her face. She looked in bewilderment at just how strange but wonderful everything was, it was completely different from the desolate, rundown purple prison she had back on Satellite 15. Nothing reminded her of anything she had seen or dealt with before.
:Mallory: When'd you have time to set this all up?
:Altha: Oh, I've lived here a long time! I'm just sharing my space with you, glad you like what you see!
:Mallory: Thank you so much, like... how do I contain my excitement?
Altha smiles as she walks over to a spongy recliner chair, taking a rest in it.
:Altha: You don't gotta! Feel free to do whatever you want to here Mal, this place is just as yours as it is mine.
Mallory joins her guardian angel by sitting in a chair near hers, taking a nice and long sigh of relief. Altha pulls a Playgirl magazine off the counter and opens it up, sticking on a pair of reading glasses.
:Altha: Admittedly, I've been wanting to share this home with someone for a long time. This place is too big for just one person, I mean, do I really need two completely different bathrooms?
:Mallory: I'm glad to fulfill that desire for you, Altha.
:Altha: I'm honestly happier that I get to spend time with someone so interesting, 'cuz out of my six-hundred years of living, I've never found anyone so peculiar or wonderful before.
:Mallory: I can't believe you can put up with me like I'm just like anyone else. That's what I find most intriguing.
:Altha: Mallory, you certainly aren't like anyone else I've met. You've done some really nasty damage, but it wasn't really out of malice but instead out of pure frustration. You took the initiative to move on and become a better person, and that's what matters to me, since not everyone bothers trying to be better.
Altha reaches a hand over, gently grabbing Mallory's and tightening her fingers around it.
:Altha: You made huge mistakes but you're not one-hundred percent irredeemable either? And even if I could hold those things against you, you rebuilt not just Satellite 15, but pitched help to many other satellites.
Mallory holds Altha's hand, looking at her.
:Altha: Bidziil bet one of his golden tire trophies that you wouldn't be able to keep up or you'd "show your true colors" at some point while you were reconstructing the satellite. And guess who won?
:Mallory: You...
:Altha: Exactly! I hold faith in you, Mal. Not many do, and to be fair I can kinda see why, but you don't ever have to worry about me leaving you as long as you stay the Mallory I know.
:Mallory: That's really sweet of you.
Mallory blushes a little.
:Mallory: I'll never turn back, Altha. You damnedest better know that.
:Altha: And I'll never turn away from you!
Altha flips the page to her magazine as she watches Mallory tear up a little.
:Mallory: Altha, actually, I kind of have to confess something to you.
:Altha: Oh?
:Mallory: Over the past couple of years, I've never felt happier. Even when I was stuck in prison, nearly blowing my brains out every other day with heavy-duty work, I felt something I've never really felt before. Something that I tried to feel with other people, but couldn't for one reason or another.
Mallory closes her eyes.
:Mallory: Your time spent keeping a close eye on me, talking to me when I was down, and helping me overcome the past, all of that time was very priceless to me. Wouldn't sell those memories for anything.
Mallory tilts her head as Altha keeps an attentive eye on her.
:Mallory: I wasn't a good person whatsoever five years ago. Or even eight years ago. I've told you all these stories already, but I never treated people the way they deserved to be treated.
We see flashbacks of Mallory unable to club Cody's head in with a nail, Mallory resisting the urge to strange a sleeping Kispel, and another of the Manipulator licking into her ear.
:Mallory: I was a monster. Those people will never forgive me for what I've done to hurt them. Even though I didn't fully register what I was doing was wrong, it was still wrong. And messed up.
:Altha: I remember you telling me about these things.
:Mallory: Yeah. So I'm not sure if you're going to accept this confession, but...
Mallory looks to the side.
:Mallory: I love you. That's a hard confession to make considering everything I've done, but it couldn't be any closer to the truth. You made me feel purpose and happiness I hadn't felt in a frickin' eternity.
:Altha: Oh Mallory...
Altha gently grabs her hand.
:Altha: I don't really know right now, give me some time to think about it, okay? I'm not sure if I'm ready to commit to a relationship yet, especially with someone I haven't gotten to really live with yet. I mean, I'd love it, but I wanna make sure I'm making the right choice.
Mallory nods, smiling a little.
:Mallory: Take your time. Even if you decline, things honestly wouldn't be any different. Any future with you is a good future, I feel.
:Altha: You really are a damn fine woman, aren't you?
Altha grins, throwing the magazine behind her.
:Altha: Rejections don't evoke good responses much of the time, but you approached that rejection maturely and said exactly what you should have. That rejection was just to test how you'd react, so I could be certain all your inner demons were expelled.
Altha gets out of her spongy recliner, smiling a little at Mallory.
:Altha: So yeah! Let's try it out Mal! Let's take it slowly though, one step at a time.
:Mallory: Of course, Altha. Do you want to go eat somewhere tomorrow?
:Altha: That sounds like it'd be a good idea. You wanna go get pancakes or something?
:Mallory: Pancakes would be great! I'd pay for the meal.
Altha pulls Mallory out of her recliner, pulling her close and hugging her.
:Altha: Just treat me as nicely as you can. I've had several clients try to hit on me in the past and most of 'em have hurt me really bad. You're certainly not the first person I've dated... maybe the tenth.
:Mallory: I'm sure we can make this work out.
Mallory gently kisses Altha's cheek bfeore hugging her tightly.
:Altha: I believe you, Mallory, so what do we do tonight, Mal?
:Mallory: Hmmm, why don't we catch some shuteye? We're gonna have a busy day tomorrow.
:Altha: Okay, that sounds like a good plan.
Altha smiles as she grabs Mallory's hand, starting to lead her up a staircase.
:Altha: Remember Mallory that no matter what happens, you've gotta move forward and never let things from the past drag you down. I'm not saying forget the past, but remember what lessons you've learned based on your past experiences and use them to become a better person and live a healthier life.
Altha smiles even more at her client, also potential lover.
:Altha: And if people try to drag you down for something you're not anymore, screw them.
:Mallory: Thank you.
Altha opens the door to their bedroom, leaping on a big spongy mattress and pulling Mallory down next to her. The screen fades to black before fading back to color, showing the two laying together in bed.
:Mallory: Good night Altha, thank you so much for everything.
:Altha: Night! I'll see you tomorrow Mallory.
Altha smacks a big anglerfish light to turn the lights out as the scene draws to a close.
:11:25 A.M. · TUESDAY January 22st, ZXE-229
:Calamari Eat n' Drink, Zeurth
The next day, Mallory and Altha are shown together at a starfish-shaped restaurant. Anglerfish lights hang from the ceiling, dangling around as huge octopuses scramble about on the floor, each carrying four plates maximum. It was a breakfast-themed restaurant; you can see lots of pancakes and waffles but a lot of it was topped with calamari. So wait, isn't this technically cannibalism for the waiters? Whatever.
:Mallory: I think I know what I wanna eat, Altha.
:Altha: Me too!
A huge octopus, comically dressed in a fancy business suit, squirms its way over to the dating couple, standing up on six long tentacles as it stands quite high above them.
:Octopus Waiter: Can I take your orders, ladies?
:Altha: Strawberry crepes, please!
:Mallory: Three gluten-free pancakes would be delightful, strawberry syrup if you may.
The octopus waiter nods, taking their menus with its two free tentacles before squirming off to the kitchen. Mallory looks at Altha with a twitchy eye.
:Mallory: Hold up, isn't it kind of messed up they serve calamari?
:Altha: They were trained and bred to follow a very strict moral code. If their moral code didn't cover it, they don't care about it. It's kinda messed up.
:Mallory: I feel like I'm missing something here.
:Altha: They're uh, the main livestock of Zeurth. We don't just eat them, we also use them as slaves.
:Mallory: If you're behind that logic, then I guess I am too.
Altha laughs as she pulls a magazine out of a vase on the counter.
:Altha: Their eight legs very much come in handy around here. You'll see them at construction sites, working in offices, and even managing their own cannibalism lifestock business.
:Mallory: So what the hell do you do to make a living if they have all the jobs?
:Altha: Most people get by here by writing books, poetry, etc. Most of the money you make here is made by being creative and tapping into your imagination. The libraries and shops here are frickin' massive, it sure is lucky that most items on Zeurth are kinda cheap!
:Mallory: I guess I'll be a writer then! Can you write autobiographies and stuff?
:Altha: Definitely. Why, what do you wanna write?
:Mallory: I kinda wanna write something called WARM🔥BLOOD. It'd be the story of my life.
:Altha: Couldn't you have just called it "Warm Blood" without adding the "fire emoji" bit in the middle?
:Mallory: There's some significance to me adding that bit, I can feel it.
Altha shrugs as the waiter comes back, giving Mallory her gluten-free syrup-covered pancakes and Altha her strawberry crepes.
:Octopus Waiter: Enjoy!
The octopus does a six-armed dab, the strongest of them all.
:Mallory: Thank you, but... did you just dab in front of me?
:Octopus Waiter: Dabbing is a polite gesture on Zeurth meaning, "dine fine". Is there something wrong with that?
:Mallory: No, I just thought it was interesting. Because where I'm from, dabbing is a legal crime.
:Octopus Waiter: Most preposterous!
:Mallory: No, really! It means, hm, the same thing the middle finger does where I'm from.
:Octopus Waiter: Do show.
Mallory does the middle finger to the waiter.
:Octopus Waiter: Ahh, that means "thank you" here. You're welcome!
:Mallory: Holy crap I can do the middle finger whenever I want...
:Altha: Yeah really, thank you waiter.
Altha also pulls the middle finger.
:Octopus Waiter: Fine dine, girls!
The octopus waiter does the six-arm dab again before slithering away.
:Altha: In case you're wondering what gestures we find offensive here, Mallory, it would be this.
Altha raises her hand, spreading her middle and ring fingers apart.
:Altha: This means I'm not listening to the person I show this to.
:Mallory: You people really have strange gesture meanings here on Zeurth.
:Altha: I like to think that's part of our charm.
:Mallory: That's true, hehe.
Mallory picks up a fork, slamming it through her stack of pancakes. In a single bite, Mallory finishes a third of her pancakes, with her sixty-four razor sharp teeth able to quickly grind them down.
:Altha: You eat fast, Mal!
:Mallory: Heh, every Zin can do that.
Mallory shoves another mouthful in, her cheeks puffing out.
:Altha: How much can you take in before you get full?
:Mallory: We don't honestly have big appetites, but if we really wanted to, I'm pretty sure we're each capable of eating a quarter of an adult human body.
:Altha: Jeez. What's the most you've ever eaten?
:Mallory: You know those bakery boxes in the store that have like six huge muffins inside of them? I ate through three of them in one sitting once. The boxes included.
Altha eats through one of her strawberry crepes. Mallory slows down on her eating as she takes a long, long sip of water.
:Mallory: But I drink more than I eat if I'm being honest. Back when I was uhh... a reckless piece of shit, I was drinking through several bottles of wine a day. Sometimes I'd drink so much I'd get sick.
:Altha: I love wine! If you still drink, I can get a bottle for us tonight.
:Mallory: No thank you haha, I'm trying to abstain from alcohol in the meanwhile.
:Altha: Oh right, I think you told me that before.
:Mallory: Yeah, I'm a bit of a wild animal under the influence, so I don't wanna risk anything anymore.
:Altha: Do you abstain from other additives too?
:Mallory: Haven't done heroin in a long time! I don't remember the last time I went out for a smoke either. These habits were kinda broken quickly because they don't give that crap to you in prison.
:Altha: I'm proud of you for not wanting to get back into drugs and alcohol, Mallory. You seem happier these days.
Mallory smiles as she eats through the last of her pancakes.
:Mallory: Yeah, I'd say I've definitely been pretty happy lately.
Mallory clutched her heart. It was true she was feeling happier, but deep inside of herself, she felt a tinge of guilt and hurt for the past experiences she had suffered through. Although Altha was at the front of her mind, and so was her future by proxy, the destruction and deaths she orchestrated were at the back of her mind. They don't represent her anymore, but they still happened and she can't really excuse them. Mallory can place on a genuine smile, but she found it difficult to feel complete bliss.
:Mallory: Maybe not perfectly content, but pretty happy!
:Altha: I can feel an aura of guilt from you, are you alright?
:Mallory: Yeah, there's just some things on my mind, that's all.
Mallory drowns her thoughts as she concentrates again on Altha.
:Mallory: I'm trying not to let them distract me from you, heh.
:Altha: See, you're learning to not let things drag you down. It can be difficult, especially since your past life was so complicated, but you're learning that independently. You're a great woman.
:Mallory: You too.
:Altha: Prove it, gorgeous!
Mallory leans over the table, leaning in for a kiss as Altha instinctively does the same. Just before they lock lips though, the restaurant lights go out.
:Mallory: Oh now what?
:Altha: That's odd, the lights don't usually shut off this early.
:Mallory: I have a bad feeling about this. Should I pay and have us make like sheep and get the flock outta here?
:Altha: Mmm, I think that'd be a goo-
BOOM! A huge explosion erupts from the cafeteria as a man with a huge frame walks his way out, growling ferally underneath his steel metal mask. His red eyes flashed menacingly as his big tusks intimidated most of the diners seated at the restaurant.
:???: Where in Sam Hill is the beer at, you motherzoinkin' sea chumps? I demand to know or I'm gonna beat some skulls in!
:Altha: Wha?
:???: Jellyfish hag, where the hell is the beer in this cannibalistic attraction? I'm very zoinkin' TIRED of people thinkin' there's no beer here when there totally is! I SAW IT!
The big-bodied man walks over to a table, flipping it over and crushing the shark-headed man that was dining there. That table had a beer bottle on it, that might've not been from the restaurant itself.
:???: I can smell alcohol here, you filthy swines!
:Mallory: Who are you to call people filthy swines?
:???: Nobody zoinkin' disses Motörmouth and gets away with it!
Motörmouth charges over to Mallory's table with a shoulder ram, shattering it perfectly in half as Mallory just barely has enough time to jump out of the way. He growls as he turns his eyes to Mallory.
:Motörmouth: Where's the... where's the beer?
:Mallory: What the scallop are you even talking about!?
:Altha: If you smelled any beer here, someone probably illegally brought it in! You can't drink here!
:Motörmouth: Oh.
Motörmouth blows a bunch of hot steam from his nostrils.
:Motörmouth: Then I'm gonna zoinkin' kill you for breakin' the law, motherzoinker!
:Mallory: I've been sober for five years!
Motörmouth doesn't listen, charging at Mallory and knocking her down to the floor. He places his heavy foot down on Mallory's stomach, raising an emptied liquor bottle from his belt and being ready to smack it down in Mallory's face. But before he does, Altha releases a huge blast of electricity from her hair to paralyze the towering troublemaker and stop him, allowing her to push him over. She picks Mallory back up as the drunken bastard gets back up on his feet, growling.
:Motörmouth: I'm gonna kill you too, stupid who-
Mallory pulls out her Mind Weaver.
:Mallory: BLISTER ARTS!
Mallory lights a pillar of flames underneath Motörmouth to set him aflame, giving the couple enough time to run away. He growls as he gets back up on his feet, almost unfazed as he begins to charge after them again.
:Motörmouth: You bastaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaards!
:Altha: Keep running! We'll eventually lose him!
:Mallory: Got it!
::
::
:Motörmouth: I'll never forgive this humiliatiooooooooooooooooooooooooon!!!
:Mallory: To think that date was going so excellently 'till that bastard came along...
:Altha: Don't pay him any mind now, he's gone. We're safe now, how about we finish that kiss?
Altha pulls Mallory closely, giving her a nice kiss on the lips. Mallory relaxes her muscles as she kisses her back, picking her up as they share a nice passionate kiss. All with Motörmouth screaming profanities from the chasm he foolishly fell into.
:Altha: That was still a good date even if Motörmouth got in the way of it. Now, how about we take our date upstairs?
:Mallory: Upstairs?
:Altha: C'mon Mallory, what do you think I mean?
:Mallory: Oh.
Mallory slaps herself.
:Mallory: Ohhhhhhhhhh.
:Altha: Well?
:Mallory: Let's go!
Mallory yanks Altha into the house. They're gonna continue dating, wonder what kind of results that'll yield over the upcoming five years? Excuse us while we move time forward again.
:6:28 A.M. · THURSDAY October 5th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's Home, Zeurth
Strap in folks, we're finally taking our final progression montage for this story! We start to look at Mallory and Altha through the next five years, where they're shown enjoying themselves on a ferris wheel, sitting on each other's laps at a movie theater, taking walks around a big seaweed park, and venturing into a siren's den (with Mallory in a complete diver's outfit). They're also shown kissing, cleaning the kitchen together, listening to Blue Öyster Cult together, and taking turns eating a mega-spicy Carolina reaper. They were very passionate together; in many shots you can see them holding hands or snuggling together in bed. But on three separate occasions, you can see Altha got pregnant.
:Altha: Rise n' shine, Mallory!
Altha gently shakes her wife awake. The last bit of the montage we see is them getting married together with good ol' Max being the one to boldly say "You may now kiss the bride!".
:Mallory: Mmm, morning.
Mallory smiles at Altha as their door opens. Three little kids scamper into the room, climbing on the bed and pulling at their mother's horns.
:Altha: Tsk! Milo, Finn, Beau! How many times have I told you to not pull at Mallory's horns to wake her up?
:Milo: We wanna eattt!
:Finn: We don't wanna go to school hungry.
:Altha: Give her some time to get up first, hah. You know how your parents are, they're pretty sleepy when they're up so early... [yawns] Off the bed boys, I'll make you oatmeal.
:Milo: Oatmeal!!!
:Altha: Yes, yes. Follow me!
As Altha jumps off the bed, Milo and Finn follow her downstairs. They both looked quite a lot like Altha, having some of the very same jellyfish-sque features, but Beau looked a lot more like his mom. He had the horns, the eyes, even the same kind of hair (although it was still taking time to grow in).
:Mallory: Hey Beau, you sure you don't want to go downstairs and get some oatmeal?
Beau shook his head. For the most part he couldn't talk yet. He just snuggled up with his mom outside of the blanket, gently resting with her. Mallory looked at him and gently rubbed her fingers through his hair.
:Mallory: Your innocence is something I'm a little envious of. Hold onto it for as long as you can, don't get in trouble with your siblings, try to think smartly for me. I'm hardly prime role model material.
Beau smiles at her, which she returns warmly.
:Mallory: Live the best life you can, sweetheart. I really hope I can help you and Milo and Finn live the best lives you can. Just don't end up like your silly ol' mother, alright?
Beau nods sleepily as he lays his head on his mother's shoulder. Mallory wraps two comforting arms around his back, patting his back gently as she almost drifts off to sleep again.
:Mallory: Can't imagine having kids with the Messiah or with Kispel, I'm glad I waited as long as I have to have kids or you and your brothers would've had some truly despicable half-siblings.
Altha returns up the stairs, smiling as she sees Mallory keeping Beau in a tight hug. She walks over to her wife, who warmly smiles at her.
:Altha: Milo and Finn are off to school, ooh, they can be rowdy little boys sometimes, huh? Sometimes they try to fight to keep themselves from going to school, but I somehow convinced 'em to go.
:Mallory: Don't worry, once they're not little kids anymore they'll become a bit easier to raise. [laughs] I have a feeling Beau is gonna be a quiet kid.
:Altha: I know he can say as much as "I love you" and "Hello" but yeah besides those I don't think he can say anything else. He has a polite vocabulary.
:Mallory: He's quiet and easy to relax with, but you can tell he really likes attention by the way he likes to crawl in and snuggle with us. I let him because he deserves all the attention he can get before he gets too old for it.
:Altha: As it turns out, you can be as old as four to learn how to use a video camera.
:Mallory: Milo's a bit of a smart kid, we gotta watch out for him. Certainly very curious. Finn's a total goofball who sings Kanye West at the top of his lungs, I think I'm gonna like how Finn turns out as he gets older.
:Altha: We are certainly raising quite the family.
:Mallory: Hella!
Mallory grins at Altha as she gets out of bed, throwing a KoRn shirt over her purple v-string and stretching out her arms. Beau gets picked up by Altha, who goes downstairs to make him outmeal as Mallory follows them down. Mallory sits down at a desk, clicking on a pen as she opens up a book. She was writing Warm Blood as she said she would five years ago, and was plenty through it. Or as she affectionately calls it, "WARM🔥BLOOD".
:Mallory: I'm gonna write, so I might be busy for a bit Altha!
:Altha: Alright sweetie! Good luck!
Mallory smiles as she gets to work. She's been working on this autobiography for five years now, but to be fair, she's been placing a bunch of adult romance novels over the past five years to make the money necessary to pay taxes and survive, so naturally something that's so personal and deep needs a lot of dedication to be written to an outstanding degree of quality, which is something Mallory strives for.
:Mallory: I should probably continue the Niaran Chronicles soon, writing stories about a big Amazonian woman is kinda fun too. Uhh, should I write a quickie or should I write Warm Fire Emoji Blood?
:Altha: Whatever you feel is easier on you, hon!
:Mallory: Mmmm, fuck it, let's get down to the Niaran Chronicles for now.
As Mallory goes to work and Altha watches over Beau playing with toys in his crib, we look outside, far up into space, where we see Bidziil hard at work stringing metallic slabs together. He watches over a dozen prisoners fixing a satellite together with their bare hands.
:Bidziil: Faster! Faster! Don't slow down, go go go!
As Bidziil gets his men hard at work, he suddenly takes a jump to avoid having a huge space rocket collide with him. He watches it head over to Zeurth, and when he looks where the rocket came from, a fairly large chunk of Zaxina could be seen with a black spot on it.
:Bidziil: Huh?? What the hell happened at Zaxina?
And just like that, he got a call on a cell phone in his pocket. He pulled it up and put his ear to it.
:Bidziil: Hello, I think I'm in the middle of an emergency?
:???: My son, my son stole an expensive rocket and took off with it, I don't know what he's doing, I'm going to die, I think, maybe not because I just found my healing wand.
:Bidziil: Who're you? Sorry.
:???: Hrrgg.
The client coughs hard over the phone.
:???: Spittle, Spittle Zin.
Bidziil felt his heart drop.
:Bidziil: R... Really?
:Spittle: I don't know what the hell happened, I just saw him return home and steal some things belonging to my deceased husband Saliva Zin. I almost died trying to stop him, auughh!
:Bidziil: I'll dispatch some of my workers to Zaxina right away, you'll receive immediate aid. Give us more details when you can.
Spittle nods quietly over the phone.
:Spittle: S-Silver Zin, isn't dead.
Spittle hangs up, leaving Bidziil alone on the other end. You already knew that Silver Zin wasn't dead, let's be honest, you read that very last tidbit of Zinfestation. But what is he doing now? And why?
:Bidziil: I'm going to have to warn Altha that Silver's heading their way, I have a really, really bad feeling about this. [grumbles] Damn it!
:6:46 P.M. · THURSDAY October 5th, ZXE-233
:Sunshine Park, Zeurth
Later that day, Mallory was at a park with her family. Mallory smiled as she pushed Milo up and down on a swing, with Altha doing the same with Finn. Beau was being safely handled by Max, who was twisting his own body around as a kind of entertainment for her.
:Altha: Mmm, Mallory, it's really nice to be able to spend time with you like this.
:Mallory: Right back at you sweetheart, it's always a pleasure to hang with you and my family.
:Milo: WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Mallory accidentally pushes Milo a bit too far, who does a complete upside down loop around the swing before flying out of it. Mallory runs over to Milo, grinning as she catches him perfectly.
:Milo: Ahaha!! Again! Again!
:Mallory: That was a bit much for my own comfort, honey.
Mallory rubs his hair.
:Mallory: I hope that was fun enough to you, though!
:Max: Aya Mallory! Yer little kid's been screamin' and cryin' for a couple of minutes now and I can't figure out what the hell's wrong with him!
:Mallory: Maybe he doesn't like the fact that you've attached your upper right arm to your skull?
:Max: It's a bit more complicated than that! Like, Beau wouldn't shut up!
Mallory walks over to Beau's crib. Swallowing her breath, Altha swoops up Finn and walks over to the group. Beau, crying his eyes out, points to a bush. Nobody could really see anything, though.
:Mallory: I don't see anything.
:Finn: Mama, I wanna go back on the swings.
:Milo: ...
Milo leaps out of Mallory's arms, picking up a stick and moving to the bush. He pokes the stick into the bush, but in spite of the crazy anticipation Mallory and Altha felt, nothing was provoked.
:Mallory: Milo, you could have fallen into a trap for all we would've known. Don't scare us like that!
:Milo: I'm sorry Mommy.
:Finn: I wanna go back on the swings now!!
:Altha: Soon Finn! Just, shhh. Beau, point.
Beau points to a high telephone wire. And Mallory cupped her mouth. A silhouette they couldn't make out for themselves - but was the anticipated Silver Zin - stood above that wire. Two of his horns were broken though, and he had bad posture. How was he still alive? Still questions to be answered...
:Mallory: Who, who is that?
Altha glanced around. In the distance - a couple of miles off - a plummet of smoke could be seen emitting from the ground. The threat that Bidziil discussed to her on the phone hours ago had landed.
:Altha: Run.
With each of the three grown-ups picking up a child, they went on their way. Silver didn't follow, he just stood there watching them from a high height. He felt his legs twitch like he were to run and chase after them, but he didn't.
:Altha: Don't look back, run!
::
::
As Mallory, Altha, and the rest of the gang run home, we see Silver's body in full. He looked horrible since we've last seen him at the end of his supposed demise at Satellite 15. He was missing several teeth, two of his elongated horns were broken off closer to their ends, and his whole body was ridden with deep scars. He somehow survived Satellite 15's impact with Zaxina, but he must have barely survived. Silver also looked very dirty and lacked any clothes besides rags.
:Silver: For putting me through all that turmoil, making me think I was something I'm not for so long and not even giving a crap about changing the world like you should have.
Silver's broken teeth clench together horribly. You could see them grind.
:Silver: I'm going to finish what I was supposed to do, what was really right this whole effin' time. I'm going to effin' kill you, Mallory.
===Chapter Two: Keep the Light On===
:9:14 A.M. · FRIDAY October 6th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's Home, Zeurth
The next day, Mallory and Altha were hanging out together in their living room, sitting down on their golden spongy couch as they glanced to one another. Milo and Finn were off to school while Beau was being rocked back and forth in Mallory's demon arms.
:Mallory: So do you know anything about that silhouette, Altha?
:Altha: I was given a call yesterday by Bidziil to watch out for a local criminal in our neighborhood. What you were seeing was that criminal. I didn't want to endanger us or our children by lingering around them for too long.
:Mallory: What's the name of the criminal?
:Altha: I was asked to keep the criminal's identity low-profile because something bad could happen if their name or other details about them became public knowledge. [sighs] It's for your own good that I say nothing.
:Mallory: Alright, will we be safe, Altha?
:Altha: Just remember to keep all the doors locked shut, keep the curtains drawn shut for every window, and don't investigate because you might place yourself in danger. Y'know, the usual stuff.
Altha sighs as she looks at Mallory. She looked like she hadn't gotten much sleep last night.
:Altha: I want to tell you, but I'm afraid to without, without.
Altha's voice trails off a little.
:Altha: I don't know, just trust me when I say that knowing anything more than you know now would be bad.
:Mallory: Mmm, alright. So can we still go out during the day? Can we still take our daily walks?
:Altha: Yeah, we should be able to still do those things. Just we can't really go out at night without risking our lives.
:Mallory: Got it, got it.
Mallory looked deep into her jellyfish wife's purple eyes.
:Mallory: Are you sure you're not trying to hide something from me?
:Altha: I... okay, listen. I am hiding something from you, but please trust me when I say that everything could change for the worse if I told you what that something was.
Altha sits up on the couch, glancing at her eyes.
:Altha: Do you trust me enough to believe that you don't need to know more than you need to?
:Mallory: Yeah, yeah I suppose. Sorry for getting a bit on your case.
:Altha: No, it's alright! It's always good to ask questions and challenge opinions, even with your loved ones.
Mallory nods as she scoots over to her wife, giving her a nice big hug. Altha returns it, hugging Mallory closely as they spend a couple of minutes in each other's arms. Mallory passes the sleeping Beau into Altha's arms, who takes him and strokes his small horns.
:Altha: I'm glad you understand why I'm trying to keep this criminal's identity a secret. Trust me, they'll eventually leave Zeurth or will get captured by the authorities, and when that happens, we can live our lives just as peacefully as we have before. Okay?
:Mallory: Okay. Thank you Altha for everything you do.
:Altha: Don't mention it Mal! Just trying to do my best, that's all.
Mallory scratches her hair as she reaches over to her record player, playing a bootleg compilation of Blue Öyster Cult as she starts to tune out to "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll".
:Mallory: Yeah.
:Altha: Maybe we can go bother Max and take a walk while it's still sunny outside?
:Mallory: Mmmm, sure. I think I'd like to do that before evening comes.
:Altha: Alright cool, let's go do it!
'Mallory and Altha throw on some sandals and walk outside, Mallory taking her radio out with her. The sun shone brightly from above, illuminating the plastic tunnels all the residents of Zeurth travel through as the couple walk away from home.
:Mallory: Whoa, it's gorgeous down here.
:Altha: Heh, you comment that almost every time we go on a walk.
:Mallory: I know, but it's still so breathtaking to me.
:Altha: It's gotta be better than waking up in a huge, artificial manmade environment every day. I mean, they too can be beautiful on the inside! But nothing beats being in a place that feels just as organic and real as you.
:Mallory: Honestly, the only reason why I've been able to move on from my reckless destruction of Satellite 15 is because I never really cared for being in that cold, dark world. I mean, doesn't excuse anything I've done there, but I certainly don't let it haunt me because my time there was never even slightly good.
:Altha: Mhm, I totally get that. Do you feel like the destruction was worth it?
:Mallory: Hell no, I could have handled my behavior so much better. So many people lost their homes because of me. But I don't know, I guess going to prison gave me time to stay off my substances and figure out what I wanted to do with my remaining time.
:Altha: Fair enough, I was just curious to see how you felt about that in retrospect.
:Mallory: Well, I don't feel great about it. C'mon, let's go check up on Max.
Altha nods as they go walk over to a smaller house right next to theirs. It looked unkempt and rotten, just like Max himself. Mallory knocks on his door, which falls apart right in front of them.
:Mallory: The door has gangrene?
:Max: Everything here has gangrene! Or algae. Hello sweethearts!
Max gets up from his filthy-looking bed, which had a bunch of maggots crawling across it. Mallory covered her mouth in disgust as he leaped up, throwing on minimalist clothes as he walked out of his house. A colony of bullet ants was crawling around on his floor.
:Altha: Max, do you need an exterminator?
:Max: Naw, yer just scared of my wife.
:Altha: Your wife?
:Mallory: Hold up, what?
Max points to the floor. The bullet ants were collecting together, taking on a shape and eventually standing up in the shape of a 5'6" woman. They were crawling so tightly together that their combined human shape looked convincing. Her eyes and mouth were symbolized through red ants.
:Max: That's 'er!
:Mallory: Erm, she looks nice!
The bullet ant woman gives Mallory a friendly hug, appearing to "grin" as she did so. Mallory shivered as she very reluctantly hugged her back, ants of all types crawling over her skin.
:Mallory: So how long have you two, been together, Max...?
:Max: We're goin' on seven months together!
:Mallory: She seems very nice at least...!
Mallory accidentally presses a bit too much into her back, wincing as she suddenly drops to the floor as an ant colony again. Mallory looked horribly embarrassed as the sound of a million ants hitting the floor could be heard.
:Max: Don't worry, I'll eventually show ya how to hold 'er!
:Mallory: Yeah, uh, do you wanna go on a walk or?
Mallory looked visibly shaken.
:Max: Oh sure! I've been wantin' to for a while, ehe. Can I take my wife with me?
:Mallory: Alright, yes, whatever.
Mallory and Altha step well away from Max's house as he comes out with his wife.
:Max: By the way, her name is Michelle.
:Altha: Riiiight.
The four of them venture out on a walk together through Coral Street - the same street Mallory and Altha took last night to run away from the totally stationary Silver.
:Max: So where're we goin'?
:Altha: I was thinking of heading over to the museum and having a good time with Mal and Beau.
:Mallory: You wanna come?
:Max: Sure! I'll just tell Michelle to go stock up on some food for me while we're inside.
:Altha: You're really infatuated with a big lady made of ants?
:Max: 'Course I am! She treats me the way I deserve.
Michelle nods a little bit, the red ants on her "face" spreading out to make a smile.
:Max: Now let's go!
Altha passes Beau over to Mallory to carry as they head into a natural history museum together with Max, with Michelle walking off to go gather food and supplies for her husband. As soon as Max disappears out of sight, the ants scatter and crawl over to the nearest supermarket together. And as everyone goes to do what they're supposed to do, Silver looks at them from a high-up building.
:Silver: Hmmmphh, I don't know when I'm going to be able to get the chance to take her out.
:???: Have a little bit of patience, Silver.
Silver glances to his side. Kneeling over with him was the Dream Weaver.
:Dream Weaver: You need to separate them before you can take her out individually. Tonight I'll help you make a diversion, but you need to time everything. You won't get your revenge just by rushing out at her.
Silver gloomily nods, grabbing his only two complete horns in frustration.
:Dream Weaver: I understand your frustration, you want to enact your revenge. I was drawn to aid you by witnessing your violent dreams. But you need to think rationally, do you really want to kill her? And if you do, when do you think it would be a good time?
:Silver: Shut the hell up.
:Dream Weaver: Al, Alright. It's not like I have much choice.
A close examination of the Dream Weaver reveals his arms and legs have been tied together.
:Silver: You're just my guide for this mission and that's it. I'll let you go when I've finally caught her.
:Dream Weaver: I remember, Silver, you don't have to remind me.
:Silver: Then stop bossing me around and try to be helpful for a change. I'm grateful that you pulled me out from the wreckage, but I might have to CLUB YOU IN IF YOU DON'T STOP TALKING RIGHT NOW.
The Dream Weaver gulps as Silver keeps his gaze on the natural museum.
:Silver: We're going inside. I'm going to cut free your leg restraints, make one wrong move and you'll be dead.
Silver holds up his Mind Weaver to his face, making him wince hard.
:Silver: You got it?
:Dream Weaver: U... Understood, Silver. Let's, go.
Silver uses his weapon to cut free his captive's restraints, leaping down to Coral Street. As the camera zooms its way back inside the museum, our attention is returned to Mallory and her group.
:Mallory: It's so peaceful and quiet in here.
:Altha: Yeah! Shame that not a lot of people visit this museum these days, we've found a lot of really strange things across Zeurth over the years. Like.
Altha quickly walks over to one exhibit, showing a big pacifier surrounded by a big glass box.
:Mallory: What's that?
:Altha: The pacifier of a giant baby! It was found by Zeurth's south pole.
:Mallory: Interesting, how big was the baby?
:Altha: We don't know, but it probably wouldn't be able to fit in this room.
:Max: Knowing that baby bones are kinda soft, maybe it could fit in here? We'd need exact measurements though, gals. That's a mystery to be left in the air!
Mallory rubs Beau's horns as she stared at the pacifier with him.
:Mallory: Hopefully you don't grow up to be a big baby, hehe.
:Beau: No, no no.
:Mallory: Good boy.
Mallory smiles as she follows Altha to the next exhibit.
:Altha: In this exhibit is one of the planet's best-known sinkholes! This sinkhole was excavated out of the soils of Zeurth and fitted into this museum. To make it fit, a bunch of ground was removed from below this exhibit. It apparently reaches like, a thousand meters underground?
:Mallory: That's kinda deep.
:Max: If you dropped anyone down there, they can kiss their life goodbye!
:Mallory: But what's so special about this sinkhole, really?
:Altha: It says if you can look all the way at the bottom with a flashlight, there's like seven dozen human skeletons down there. It might have been an illegal disposal ground for human bodies!
:Mallory: Huh, just as dark as it is deep.
Beau kisses his mother's neck as she examines the exhibit. She smiles as she hauls Beau over her shoulder, patting his little baby back as they move on to the next exhibit.
:Mallory: Oooh.
Inside was a dozen skulls, all laid out in a circle with a big fire shooting up between them. Each of the skulls had a glass of ashes cut in through their tops.
:Altha: I don't really know what this exhibit is, nor anyone else for that matter. Uhhh, they just thought it was interesting and brought it in to see if anyone knew anything about it.
:Mallory: It's certainly interesting to look at!
:Altha: Yeah, I'd say so.
:Max: I have a cousin that lives in some kinda weird hotel a couple of miles away! He's got some religious crap on display and this exhibit looks like something he'd know a lot about.
:Altha: The "November Hotel", right?
:Max: Yeppers! I moved to Zeurth with you guys a couple of years ago so I could have better contact with him, but he doesn't like to talk to anyone I guess 'cuz he hasn't responded to my letters.
:Mallory: Sorry about that, that must suck.
:Max: It's aight.
Altha walks over to another exhibit, which shows an enormous peanut butter jar open on its side.
:Altha: This is the big peanut butter jar, which was found from a piece of Satellite 15's wreckage. We're not sure whose peanut butter jar this was, but the museum preserved it. Special lights from above make sure the peanut butter never ages, keeping it nice and creamy.
:Mallory: I thought this museum was dedicated to Zeurth stuff?
:Altha: It is, but they thought this memoir of Satellite 15 was too funny to not include in the museum.
:Mallory: Seems really random, but actually, is there a connection between all these things?
:Max: I dunno 'bout you Mallory, but I'm not sure what you'd do with an ash ritual, a deep sinkhole, a big baby pacifier, and a big-ass jar of peanut butter. Those things don't really mix.
:Beau: Mommy!
Mallory felt her heart sink a little bit.
:Mallory: Yes, darling?
Mallory turns around and nearly has a heart attack from doing so. An exhibit of Silver Zin was standing up in a feral position in a glass exhibit, completely emotionless and completely lifeless.
:Mallory: What the hell?
:Altha: Ooh, umm.
Altha walks over to the exhibit. The exhibit read "Zeurth's Statue of Peace", surely doesn't look it.
:Altha: This is the Silver Zin exhibit! This is a full-scale replica of Satellite 15's greatest-known savior, the legendary Silver Zin, who selflessly sacrificed himself to crush all evil across the satellite. His attempt to end Mallory's life might have been in vain, but she hasn't caused trouble since.
:Mallory: I'm just astonished at how... real he looks. Like I could touch him and he'd react.
:Altha: It's against the rules to touch any of the exhibits, Mal.
Silver's leg wobble a little while their eyes briefly close.
:Mallory: Beau knew this would be the most interesting exhibit, you think he's gonna be an observative person when he grows up, Altha?
:Altha: Yeah, let's move on to the next part of the museum.
Mallory and her group move on to the next bit of the museum, Altha showing a sigh of relief as they move on. But Mallory couldn't help but feel like she was being watched, she glanced back to see if Silver was following her. He was not, at least not to her knowledge. After looking behind herself for 20 seconds, she hesitantly pressed onward.
:Silver: I might've been able to forgive her if she bothered acknowledging her wrongs in front of me, damn it, it was a mistake to let her have a second chance. This time I'll make sure to finish the job.
Silver leaps out of the glass containment as the Dream Weaver steps out from behind another exhibit.
:Dream Weaver: How were you able to sustain yourself for a full ten years without resorting to this plan already, Silver, if I can ask?
:Silver: I wasn't alone in the wreckage, Dream Weaver.
A flashback plays, showing miscellaneous pieces of Satellite 15 falling towards the humongous planet of Zaxina.
:Silver: The only way I survived that collision was through using my Mind Weaver to control the velocity of my fall. I miraculously survived the collision, although I broke several bones and my weapon also shattered after I was forced to drop it.
As part of that flashback, wild men and women were shown visiting Silver through entering the wreckage.
:Silver: Very soon after Satellite 15 collided with Zaxina, curious wild men and women found their way inside the wreckage and gave me plenty of attention. I mooched off pleasure and desire for a whole decade, nourished back to decent health one slow step at a time. I don't remember much of what my life was like before, besides just how much I fucking hate Mallory.
Silver is shown in the care of a handful of demons and strange animal-human hybrids, with lots of bandages around his arms and legs as his Mind Weaver was being repaired by a witch.
:Silver: I spent a lot of that time asleep and getting healed while I was asleep. Plenty of people noted how, peculiar I was and took interest in me. It was wild feeling that level of care.
:Dream Weaver: Didn't you have three lovers before?
:Silver: Mmm, I don't remember anymore. I might've been hit in the head a couple of times during my initial tumble, or my memories of them faded away with time.
Silver is shown breaking his way out of the wreckage on his own as the last part of the flashback.
:Silver: All I remember now is the mistakes I've made with keeping Mallory alive, everything she's ever done to me, and the life I've been living over the past decade.
:Dream Weaver: I see. I'm sorry that you're this messed up now.
:Silver: It's not your fault, it's hers. Let's follow them out of the museum.
The Dream Weaver hesitantly nods as he and Silver give chase - quiet chase, that is.
:5:13 P.M. · FRIDAY October 6th, ZXE-233
:Sunshine Park, Zeurth
For the rest of the day, Mallory and her group were hanging out at Sunshine Park. The same place they were last night when they spotted Silver Zin way up high.
:Mallory: I don't really like how today's gone, Altha.
:Altha: Yeah, the museum was fine and it was great to eat out at the Calamari Eat n' Drink place again, but I know what you mean. I really, really do.
We get a couple of glimpses of Mallory and Altha walking around town, with Silver Zin seen standing tall on streetlamps as he pursues the pair around the place. Humorously though, the Dream Weaver can be seen hanging for dear life in some cases when Silver has the only really stable ground to stand on.
:Mallory: Mmm. Maybe we should go home a bit earlier tonight.
This time, Mallory's group had Milo and Finn back in it, who were picked up earlier after finishing their preschool work for the day. They were tugging at Mallory's legs.
:Milo: C'mon mom, let's go play hide and seek!
:Finn: Pleaaaaaaaaase?
:Mallory: Kids, I really don't think it'd be a good idea to play hide and seek right now.
:Milo: Awwwhh, pretty please? We'll let you be the one that finds us.
:Mallory: No, it's too dangerous right now. At least, it certainly feels that way to me.
:Max: Aight, let's not make the children suffer. I've got a plan, Michelle, hand both of 'em a slice of bread.
Michelle, the huge ant lady, nods as she hands both Milo and Finn slices of bread.
:Max: Don't eat 'em! A bunch of ants are gonna follow ya around, if they spot danger, they're gonna go attack it before ya get hurt. If ya wanna play hide n' seek, better actually be prepared.
:Finn: Okay.
:Mallory: Are you really sure this is a good idea, Max?
:Max: It'll be fine!
Mallory sighs as Altha nods at Max.
:Mallory: I'll find all of you. Split up and hide, everyone. Make sure each of you are holding a slice of bread.
Everyone nods as they run off, besides for Michelle who sits alone at a table. Mallory holds Beau closely to her chest as she squints her eyes. The air felt empty knowing everyone's gonna hide in a game of hide n' seek with her.
:Mallory: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Mallory takes a deep breath.
:Mallory: Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty.
Mallory clears her throat as she shoves Beau under her shirt, wanting to protect him from anything that could take him away from her.
:Mallory: Here I come, ready or not.
Mallory opens her eyes, walking off.
::
::
Mallory breathes a sigh of relief as she takes everyone back to the park, with Michelle smiling as everyone makes it back in one piece. Milo was found inside a hollowed log, Finn was found up on a tree, Altha was found under a bridge, and Max was found inside a trash can.
:Mallory: No more, that was enough for me.
Mallory bites her lip, grabbing Altha's hand.
:Mallory: Let's go home, it's too dangerous here.
:Finn: But mooooom!
:Mallory: No buts!
Altha picks up both Milo and Finn, who are both kept close to her body. They eventually start making their way home when they hear a loud thud behind them. They see the same silhouette again.
:Mallory: What the hell does that criminal want from us??
:Altha: I don't know! D-Don't get a closer look, run!
And this time, Silver gave chase. As the group stormed their way down Coral Street, Silver leaped and growled as he chased them down. However, he stopped about halfway, turning through an alleyway. The group made it back to Mallory's home quickly, where a disturbed Max slams himself inside his filthy home. Michelle eventually catches up as a single-file line of millions of ants.
:Mallory: I don't know how we managed, but I guess we lost him...?
:Altha: I don't care about what happened, let's just get inside.
Mallory, Altha and their children went back inside, shutting out anyone from coming inside. They lock the doors, draw the curtains shut, and turn out all the lights.
:Mallory: Altha, are you sure you can't just tell me who the criminal is?
:Altha: Not now!
Altha looked to be in quite the rush as she moved her way upstairs quickly. Mallory and the children followed her into the master bedroom, where Altha locks them in.
:Altha: Okay, we all need to stick together tonight. That criminal is real dangerous and I don't want anyone to get hurt. That hide and seek game was a really bad idea. We should've just gone home.
:Mallory: That's what I was saying.
Mallory sighs as she pulls Beau out from her shirt, dropping him on the bed.
:Mallory: So how should we eat dinner?
:Altha: I'll think of something, we should be able to manage for a couple of days. Can you please give me a moment alone and keep an eye on the kids? I need to contact Bidziil.
:Mallory: Yeah, of course. Take the time you need.
Altha nods as she leaves the bedroom, heading into the bathroom and locking herself in it. She dials up Bidziil, who picks up on the very first ring. That's the usual for Bidziil.
:Bidziil: What's up?
:Altha: Bidziil, we're being trailed around by Silver and we need immediate assistance to take him out. If Mallory discovers him, as she's come dangerously close to, her internal peace could be messed up. Please help!
:Bidziil: Ah right, he's still there, if you can't shake him off your trail, then I'm going to send someone over who can do that for you. Someone that knows him rather well.
:Altha: What're the choices?
:Bidziil: I already have someone in mind, in fact I've been thinking of sending multiple people over. I'm considering sending over a professional to take him out, but also several people who can negotiate with him and talk to him. I don't want violence to be the answer, so if he can be redeemed, I have four people who can help.
:Altha: I trust you, Bidziil.
:Bidziil: I'm going to personally come to Zeurth myself in a couple of days, because coincidentally, Kýrios and Thanatos are supposed to meet there for a chess match. You see, every year, all the satellite lords partake in a chess tournament, and these two receive a lot of attention since they're such smart players.
:Altha: Huh, alright.
Suddenly Bidziil lets out an "oof!" as he's pushed to the side, with another voice appearing over the phone.
:Phoenix: Phoenix here to say a prison on Satarth has been installed for the likes of people like Silver that can't be beaten up so easily! When that thug gets captured, I'll see ya there, Mallory!
:Bidziil: Get back to work, Phoenix!
Bidziil practically crushes Phoenix with his weight.
:Phoenix: Woof!
:Bidziil: Good luck, Altha. Stay safe, and make sure Mallory knows how much you love her.
:Altha: Of course, I'd never let her forget.
:Phoenix: And if she forgets, slap her hard on the cheeks for me, yeah?
:Bidziil: PHOENIX!
:Phoenix: Sorry, I'll be on Zeurth too in a matter of days, we'll discuss what to do about Silver in a matter of days from now, alright?
:Altha: Sounds good, who are you?
:Phoenix: I'm Phoenix, I destroy things!
:Bidziil: I'm going to break your back, scumbag!
Phoenix gets smacked off the phone.
:Bidziil: Alright, I have to return to my work, but I promise you that reinforcements will be coming very soon. You and Mallory won't be alone to deal with that vermin, you best know that.
:Altha: Yeah, yeah, I got it.
Altha smiles.
:Altha: Talk to you soon!
:Bidziil: You too, good night!
Bidziil hangs up on him. Mallory peels her ear off the bathroom door and tiptoes back to her room, sighing a breath of relief as all three of her children are still there after she left them.
:Mallory: Reinforcements against that criminal? I like that idea.
:Altha: Were you listening in, Mallory?
Altha shuts the bedroom door behind them.
:Mallory: Alright yeah, I was a little bit, but we're getting reinforcements right?
:Altha: Did you learn about the criminal's identity?
:Mallory: I didn't, I promise. I was just curious because you were taking an eternity in there.
Altha nods as she mounts the bed, laying with their children.
:Altha: Well, we should probably get some sleep.
:Mallory: Yeah.
Mallory climbs the bed. It wasn't even 7PM yet, but she didn't really want to be up that much longer. As Altha smacks the anglerfish light lamp to turn it off, everyone gets into bed together.
:Altha: I also sent Max a text message asking if his ants could bring in some pizza, we'll be able to eat soon.
:Mallory: Alright.
Mallory wraps her arms around her wife.
:Milo: I don't wanna go to bed, mommy.
:Finn: Yeah, it's too early.
:Mallory: Listen to me, your mommies are tired and need all the rest they can for the next day. You need to be quiet or bad things could happen.
:Finn: Awwhh, okay.
Mallory murmurs "good kid" as she starts to drift off to sleep.
:Milo: Is everything going to be okay?
:Altha: Yeah, you just need to make sure you get your sleep kiddo. Alright?
:Milo: Alright.
Milo hugs Altha tightly as Mallory's arms wrap around Finn, with both mothers sleeping with Beau between them. Eventually they each fall asleep besides Beau. Beau's heart was racing.
:Beau: I don't feel so good.
Beau stared at their bedroom window.
:8:58 P.M. · FRIDAY October 6th, ZXE-233
:Room #58C, Satellite 10 Lobby
Meanwhile, in a completely different place in the Zaxiverse, we get a glimpse of the chandelier-shaped Satellite 10. Through one of the many windows of the satellite's lobby, we see a familiar couple together hanging out together with their own kids and dealing with their own things.
:Valerie: So Junkie baby, do I look cute in this outfit?
Valerie stands straight up, showing herself in a velvet-red dress. Junkhead lowers his sunshades, whistling at her.
:Junkhead: Hella baby! That'd probably sell like hotcakes, look at all those motherzoinkin' little sparkles!
:Valerie: I like it when you appreciate the little details like those!
:Junkhead: I know you do hehe, that's why I bother with the small things now heh. The material looks really nice too, what'd you use?
:Valerie: Linen!
:Junkhead: Ahh, make sure ya wash it lightly, 'cuz that crap likes to wrinkle fast.
Junkhead grins wide at her, showing his slightly better-looking teeth. Their two children, Takeo and Ramana, were sitting together on the floor playing with toys and just having a pleasant time while Valerie and Junkhead kicked back. Both were in their middle ages by now and looked rather fit, and their children looked like they were going to be just as fit and capable as their parents.
:Junkhead: So Val, I was thinkin' we could go to the movies later or whatever?
:Valerie: Sure! I've been meaning to get out of the house a little more, I've been caught up wayyy too much in my art studies lately. Uh, when do you wanna go? It's almost 9PM here.
:Junkhead: Let's see, hrm, I was thinking we could go see the Titanic or whatever. The kids can stuff their tiny mouths with popcorn while we get a little bit... busy.
Junkhead holds Valerie's hand, grinning.
:Valerie: Okay!
:Junkhead: And by "busy", I certainly mean hold-handing and knittin'. Heh heh!
:Takeo: We're going to the movies? Can we please see Despicable Me 7? Pleaaaaaaaaase?
:Junkhead: No way, José!
:Valerie: Takeo, you've already seen that movie five times, please wait until we're able to get you the movie on Blu-ray or whatever. [smiles sweetly] Come on, can't your parents have a bit of fun?
:Takeo: Okay... [sniff] Have it your wayyyy.
:Ramana: That's the kinda shit my dad would watch, not going to lie.
:Valerie: Watch your tongue, Ramana!
:Ramana: Oh, like you're one to talk.
Both Valerie and Ramana laugh and bump fists. That's their in-joke.
:Junkhead: Takeo, I'll give ya twice the amount of popcorn if ya shut yer trap and let us watch the Titanic rerun.
:Takeo: Deal!!
:Junkhead: Aha, good boy. Knew ya'd see it my way.
:Valerie: Hold up Junkie, I'm getting a call.
Valerie pulls out her phone. She opens it, holding the phone to her ear.
:Valerie: Hewwwo??
:Bidziil: Hey Valerie, it's me, Bidziil. I'm one of the many important figureheads working for the Damage Control group. I wanted to ask you if you could help us out with something.
:Valerie: I've kinda retired from doing important work these days, I'm sorry.
:Bidziil: Well, what if I were to tell you that Silver's involved?
:Valerie: He's alive...? Alright, fine, lay it on me.
:Bidziil: Yeah we've just found out he's been alive the whole time, and he's been causing some ruckus on the Zeurth planet some light years away from the Zaxina system. I was thinking you could help us capture him, turn him in, and maybe help figure out what the hell is going on.
:Valerie: Well, ummm, sure?
:Bidziil: Alright, so at 3AM, I'm going to send an associate of mine in to help place your children in temporary care while you and Junkhead are sent together to go retrieve Silver. Sounds good?
:Valerie: Considering I was planning on watching a movie close to midnight, that's a pretty good deal. Thanks for calling in, I had no idea he was alive, how long have you known he's been around?
:Bidziil: For about 30 hours, I think?
:Valerie: You idiot! Why'd you not tell me sooner?
:Bidziil: I wasn't sure exactly what he was up to!
:Valerie: Ugh, people in this universe are so incompetent sometimes. Look, I'll help you out, but please god keep an eye on him so he's not gone the moment I arrive on Zeurth or wherever he is.
:Bidziil: On it, ma'am.
:Valerie: Why's he going to Zeurth though? That's my question, a marine planet, of all pl-
Valerie is hung up on.
:Valerie: The nerve of that man to hang up on Valerie Heartgold...!
:Junkhead: Who was that, baby?
:Valerie: Some man named Bidziil asked me if I could help find and capture Silver Zin. He's been found alive on Zeurth and stuff and apparently he's been causing trouble.
:Junkhead: That cute son of a bee is still alive?
:Valerie: Yeah, I was surprised too.
Valerie sighs.
:Valerie: After our movie is over, I have to get ready and depart from this satellite. You have to come with me too, we'll leave our children with Munira so she can take care of them.
:Junkhead: Alright Val.
Junkhead smiles as he picks up his children.
:Junkhead: Let's go eat out first, what do you kids think? You wanna eat at Dairy King or at Burger Queen? Or maybe Idaho Baked Potatoes?
:Takeo: Dairy King! Dairy King!
:Ramana: Burger Queen sounds good to me, dad.
:Junkhead: Idaho Baked Potatoes it is! Let's go!
Junkhead drags his children outside as Valerie switches off the lights to their apartment and locks the front door.
:Junkhead: Kinda wild Silver's still alive. Can't wait to go get high with him again!
:Valerie: We'll worry about that bit later. I should probably tell Pierce, Medea, and Zellen that he's still ali- aaaaaaaand they already know.
Valerie holds up her phone.
:Pierce [typing]: holy crap
:Pierce [typing]: holy crap
:Pierce [typing]: holy crap
:Pierce [typing]: ho ly ss hi t
:Pierce [typing]: hslkfdlkajfdalsjkfsdeuiowioiouvcivzzvcl;bmlxzzvmieotoqier? ??????????
:Junkhead: Yea, they definitely already know.
:Pierce [typing]: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WHAT
:Pierce [typing]: SILVER IS STILL ALIVE?? GOD HAS REJOINED THE CHAT
:Valerie: Gotta admit, those are some of the most excited texts I've ever gotten from him.
:Medea [typing]: We'll be meeting you at the entrance of Satellite 10 a couple of hours from now, alright Val? We heard the news and we're gonna accompany you as negotiators for Silver. Alright?
:Zellen [typing]: Looks like a reunion isn't totally out of the possibility, huh? We'll be coming soon! owo
:Pierce [typing]: FUCK ME HOLY SHIT where is he
:Valerie: I like how casually Medea and Zellen took the news and Pierce is going absolutely ballistic.
:Junkhead: Hah! Gay.
:Valerie: Alright, no more stalling. Let's go get some deep-fried potato wedges and get started with the rest of our night, love you darling.
Valerie holds Junkhead's hand as she pockets her phone.
:Junkhead: I love you too, gorgeous.
Junkhead squeezes her hand as they go out to eat. We get the camera to zoom out all the way to a spaceship that's shaped like Silver's face, where Pierce is jumping up and down and all over the place on the inside as Medea and Zellen wink at each other and clink glasses.
:Medea: Let's drink to the fact that Silver's been found, Zellie!
:Zellen: Hellaaaaaa!
In case you've forgotten, all three gave themselves serums with Silver's DNA inside to take on his appearance a little bit, so everyone's got horns and clear white eyes now. Now that Silver's been found, such a reunion would make them now look like a perfect poly group...as Medea and Zellen messily drink to his finding, Pierce is jumping all over the place, shouting and leaping about. He hasn't been wheelchair-bound for years since that DNA overrode his physical issues.
:Pierce: HELL YEAH!! HELL YEAHHH, HERE WE COME SILVER BABY! YEAH BABY YEAH!
As all three clink wine glasses together, the scene draws to a close. Everyone knows about Silver now.
:1:50 A.M. · SATURDAY October 7th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's Home, Zeurth
Mallory was in the middle of dreaming. She was dreaming that she was walking along fields of Taki chips, walking together with Altha and her children. Mallory smiled.
:Mallory: These fields are so wonderful, a little strange, but wonderful.
:Altha: Aren't they great? It's everything you could have ever wanted, and then some.
:Mallory: It's so great to be here with you, being able to witness this with someone like you. I can't believe this is real!
:Altha: It is.
Altha kisses her cheek as her children laugh and frolic in the fields around them. Things looked wonderful, from the absolutely pristine azure skies to the big great Takis wildly growing around them, many the size of Milo's entire body. As they frolicked in the fields together, Mallory smiled.
:Mallory: This is the best afternoon I've ever had, no worries, no nothing on my mind!
Big Takis with arms and legs danced all around the Taki fields. Altha grabbed Mallory's hand and ran down the fields with her, making her laugh and smile as their children gave close pursuit. Mallory munched down on as many Takis as she could fit into her mouth.
:Altha: This is great, where do you want to go to next after this, Mallory?
:Mallory: I don't know, I just wanna be here for now.
:Altha: That makes sense to me! I don't really wanna go anywhere if you don't wanna go anywhere, because man can you imagine if I wanted to go anywhere without you?
:Mallory: I really can't.
Mallory smiles as she eats a pretty big Taki.
:Mallory: I feel much better, thank you for taking me here, Altha.
:Altha: No problem Mallory. Hey, Mallory, how 'bout we race through the fields?
:Mallory: Certainly!
:Altha: Alright! Ready, set, go!
Altha and Mallory rush off into the Taki fields.
::
::
Mallory pants as she tuckers out, falling flat on her back with the rest of her children.
:Mallory: Hah... hahh, I won that one.
:Altha: T-That was fun, good game.
Altha smiles. Suddenly Altha points to the right.
:Altha: What's that??
Mallory sees a hole in the sky. Crawling out from it is a huge taki man with big, scary-looking arms and legs. It sneaks its way over to her and Altha, trying not to make noise.
:Mallory: I dunno.
:Altha: It looks funny, look at the way it's kinda just trying to tiptoe on its funny feet.
:Mallory: Heh, that is kinda funny.
:Milo: Hey Mom, I think you should keep the light on.
:Mallory: Mmm? What light?
:Finn: The light, Mom. There's something that's rubbing your shoulders from behind.
Mallory looks behind herself. She doesn't see anything.
:Mallory: Is this one of your awkward preschooler pranks? Everything's perfectly fine.
:Milo: H-He's getting closer.
:Finn: Keep close to mommy, Milo.
:Mallory: The Taki man is a funny man! He couldn't hurt us!
:Milo: You're not making any sense, mom!
Milo reaches off to the side, flicking on a switch. A sudden powerful light appears in the sky, shredding the Taki man's dusty skin and instead unveiling the silhouette that's been haunting her for days!
:Mallory: ACK!
Mallory wakes up screaming as hands are suddenly rustling over her, trying to grab her. Mallory attempts to kick whatever's trying to get her, pushing it away.
:Altha: HELP ME!!
By the time Mallory is able to pull the blanket off her head, she sees the silhouette at her window, holding a captive Altha. The Dream Weaver hops from behind Mallory, joining Silver at the window. And then Mallory sees.. with her own two eyes...
:Mallory: Silver?
:Silver: Shit, wrong captive...
:Mallory: STOP WHERE YOU ARE!
Mallory rushes out of bed, pulling her Mind Weaver out.
:Mallory: N-NERVE CHOPPER!
:Silver: NERVE SPLITTER!
Mallory's emitted purple waves of energy are easily overpowered by Silver's, pushing her back against the bed. Before Mallory can recover, Silver was gone. And so was Altha.
:Milo: M-mommy! MOMMY!
Mallory struggles to get up. Panicking, Milo and Finn grab a first aid kit off a counter and bring it over to Mallory, helping her heal from her injuries as Beau uses his nose to tap a medical emergency number.
:Mallory: S-... S-Silver...??
Mallory almost breaks out crying as her children try to help her stay calm. Her bitter scars were starting to cut back at her again, Silver? What was he doing there? What did he want from her? Did she do something wrong? What could she do about anything? As the camera pans out, we see Silver standing on a high rooftop while holding the captive Altha close.
:Silver: I thought I had my hands on Mallory, but I suppose you'll make for good bait.
:Altha [muffled]: L-Let me goooffphh!!
:Silver: Tough luck. Let's go, Dream Weaver. We need to figure out how I'm going to get my hands around that motherzoinker's neck.
Silver and the Dream Weaver walk off with the captive Altha in their arms.
===Chapter Three: I Don't Know Anything===
:11:00 A.M. · SATURDAY October 7th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's Home, Zeurth
It took hours for Mallory to regain full control over herself considering how hard Silver hit her last night. Her children stayed by her all night, healing her up and keeping a good eye on Beau while their mother was down. They all looked absolutely petrified by the kidnapping of Altha, and really, can you blame them?
:Mallory: Whaaaa.
:Milo: Mommy, are you okay?
:Mallory: Not in the slightest but thank you for caring about your mother.
Mallory gets up from the floor with help from Milo and Finn. They were little boys, but they had quite a grip and stood up on the bed to help pull her back up.
:Mallory: Boys, please stay close by me. I don't want you getting hurt.
:Finn: Okay.
:Milo: Mommy, I heard someone outside earlier, outside the big doors.
:Mallory: Let's go pay them a visit, shall we?
Mallory picks up her Mind Weaver from the floor, scooping Beau into her arms as she heads down the stairs with Milo and Finn in close pursuit. She walked to the sliding doors, chittering at her children to stay back as she pulls them open.
:Mallory: If you are here to take-- huh??
Standing in front of Mallory was a woman in a black skintight suit with a cat-like mask covering her face. She wore a heart-shaped chestplate and had silvery white gloves and boots, and a little bit of armor.
:Valerie: Mallory!?
:Mallory: Wha, What're you doing here?
Valerie apparently wasn't expecting to find Mallory here!
:Valerie: Alright, let me explain. I was sent here by a big hunk named Bidziil to find and capture your sibling after some woman named Altha reported seeing him have some very suspicious behavior.
:Mallory: Oh, that's who Altha was calling last night... [sighs] Well, she's gone now. She was captured in the middle of the night, heh. I just got up from the floor after he almost killed me.
:Valerie: I really don't care that you almost died.
Valerie rolls her eyes.
:Valerie: I'm only here so I can find Silver and capture him so we can figure out what the hell is going on with him. Do you happen to know which direction he went in?
:Mallory: Not really, but we can wait for him to come back and then see what we can do from there.
Right, Mallory thought to herself. It makes sense that Valerie doesn't really care about whatever happens to her, she was the same person that blew Satellite 15 up into a billion pieces. She sighs.
:Valerie: God damn it, I really didn't ask to be pulled into a waiting game.
:Mallory: Well what could I really do about it? He knocked me unconscious!
:Valerie: I'm going to figure out how I'm going to find him on my own, stay out of my way Mallory. I don't need you getting in my way, dirty scarecrow killer.
:Mallory: I wasn't even trying to kill Syinara!
:Valerie: You sure as hell were trying to destroy my only home!
:Mallory: Gahh, that's a good point. But...
:Valerie: I'm going to find Silver, I'll see you never, you piece of shit!
Valerie slams the sliding doors in Mallory's face and starts to walk away. Mallory sighs as she goes to dejectedly sit in a chair, her bitter scars burning worse as she again recognizes the level of pain she brought to the residents of Satellite 15. Finn and Milo look at each other before running over to the sliding doors, leaving her residence.
:Mallory: You two, come back...! Damn it!
Both of Mallory's kids ran up to Valerie, tugging at her legs.
:Valerie: Huh?
:Milo: Valerie please, don't leave my mommy alone like that.
:Finn: Our other mommy is missing Valerie, we need her back.
:Valerie: Okay, so I'm sorry for being rude to your mother. I haven't had my morning coffee and I'm really anxious to get back to my painting career. Please leave me alone, I have a lot of problems with your mom that you don't really need to learn about at such young ages.
:Finn: Our mother has coffee, she can make you some!
:Milo: Yummy yummy for my tummy!
Finn slaps Milo's face.
:Finn: Four-year-olds don't say that no more!
:Milo: Sowwy.
:Valerie: Alright, alright. Fine, I guess I don't really know where I'm going anyway.
:Finn & Milo: Yay!!!
Both of them suddenly drag Valerie back through Mallory's sliding doors. She initially protested, but Mallory's kids bore her strength and were easily able to take her back inside.
:Mallory: Huh?
:Valerie: Alright, I'm sorry for being rude. Your kids said you have coffee, you think you can hand some over to me? It'd probably make me feel a lot less cranky.
:Mallory: Yeah I can fix you a cup real quick. Don't worry about being cranky, it's not like you said anything wrong.
Mallory moves up from her chair, heading to the kitchen to make herself and Valerie a couple of mugs of hot coffee. Valerie sighs as she takes a seat on the spongy couch, looking a bit frustrated.
:Valerie: Are you two treated well by your mother?
:Finn: Mommy loves us!
:Milo: Yeah!
:Valerie: Alright, that's good. Wait, which mother?
:Finn: Both!
:Valerie: Mmm, alright, so looks like this is a healthy household at least. Not going to excuse her for some of the things she's done, but it at least looks like she has changed since leaving prison.
:Finn: Mommy was in jail?
:Valerie: She was for a couple of years. Don't worry though, her criminal deeds probably won't be repeated again.
:Milo: Mommy said she doesn't like to tell us stories about her.
:Valerie: Yeah, I can see why.
Valerie had a middle-aged woman's chuckle as she smiled down at them. She had to admit to herself, these two were adorable and seemed to be in pretty high spirits. But she didn't let this distract her from the fact that Mallory orchestrated an entire attack against the Valco Vortex thirteen years ago.
:Finn: Are you our aunt?
:Valerie: Wha? No, what makes you say that?
:Finn: Your name, Mallory, Valerie, they sound alike!
:Milo: Are you her twin sister??
:Valerie: Haha, no. I'd like to have as little to do with Mallory as possi-
:Finn & Milo: Aunt Valerie!!
Both climb the couch and snuggle up on both sides of Valerie. Valerie sighs as she wraps an arm around each. Well, she really can't be mean to a couple of young kids, so she rolled with it.
:Valerie: Yeah, Aunt Valerie, terrific.
Mallory walks back into the living room, holding a plate with two coffee mugs on it, sitting down in a spongy recliner with one mug as she passes the other to Valerie.
:Mallory: Sorry about that, my children can really be a handful sometimes.
:Valerie: That's probably the least of my problems, I kinda like them a lot.
:Mallory: Well, that's good!
Both Valerie and Mallory sip at their coffee. Milo and Finn pass out together against Valerie's sides - having stayed up for many hours taking care of Mallory, they found the right time to beauty sleep while pressed up against Valerie's thighs.
:Mallory: Look, I know you're still mad at me for everything I've done in the past. That's really understandable and I don't blame you at all for that. But if we want to find Silver, wouldn't it be best if we worked together as a team to try and hunt him down?
:Valerie: I don't know, how do I know I can trust you to not backstab me?
:Mallory: Do I look like I'm still mentally ill enough to do such things? No, I'm genuinely worried for my wife and for the safety of my children. This isn't about me, it's about the people I care about.
:Valerie: So will you do exactly what you're told?
:Mallory: Unless I find a good reason to object, yes.
:Valerie: When would you object with something I say, Mallory?
:Mallory: Whenever you tell me to do something that would come at the cost of hurting my wife and children. I'd like to handle this as carefully as possible, you would understand that, right?
:Valerie: Yeah.
Valerie sighs as she drinks down her whole mug of coffee. It was steaming hot, but that didn't seem to really matter to her in the slightest today.
:Valerie: Why weren't you like this before? Why were you such a monster to me and my friends? Why did you let Syi die? Why did you think destroying the satellite would be such a good idea?
:Mallory: I don't know how willing you would be to believe me, but I spent almost three decades abusing and getting abused by Silver. We had such a messy, cruel relationship that we were never able to figure out who to pin the blame on.
Mallory gently sips at her coffee.
:Mallory: That relationship was horrifying. We taught each other bad morals, evil ideals, and it got so twisted. You should know that at first it was all kind of nonsensical children misbehavior, but it had gotten much, much worse over time. I don't want to go into much detail about it, but it was just a long history of horrifying behavior from both of us. And that damage would also hurt my mother.
Mallory slumps back in her seat, sighing.
:Mallory: I came to Satellite 15 when I caught wind of Silver's body having ended up there, and I came there with the simple intent to destroy him. I could've handled my mission much smoother, and I could have really gone without that spiral to madness, but that was all I was there for. I never accounted for how much people meant to me because I only really grew up knowing Silver and my mom.
Mallory sets down her emptied coffee cup.
:Mallory: It was only through my last encounter with Silver back at the satellite that I realized that I had ignited those fires, not him, and I discovered then just how much damage I had done. It's not just about the damage I've done to the satellite, it's also about the way I've treated my associates too.
Mallory closes her eyes.
:Mallory: But in the end, my laser focus on wanting to kill Silver ended up in thousands dead, millions displaced, my one target only dying when he sacrificed himself to save me. I felt like utter crap ever since.
Valerie looks completely horrified.
:Mallory: I'm sorry. If Silver was here, he could probably recall the same story.
Valerie was silent for a moment, taking in the time to absorb everything she was just told. Then slowly, as if reluctantly, she reached her hand forward and touched Mallory's.
:Valerie: I... I don't know if I can really forgive you for Syinara's death, but I'm actually pretty sorry about all of this. I was kind of a victim of abuse myself, so I can kind of resonate with those feelings.
Valerie looks to her side.
:Valerie: You know, when I was on the verge of becoming rich and famous, that was when I was in my relationship with Gonzalo. Everyone knows now how abusive and godawful that man was to me and to people like Medea and poor Nicholas, but hmm, where do I begin?
:Mallory: Yeah, I remember Gonzalo, he was the crappy bank guy. The one that'd go around the streets shouting "Heil El Dorado!", what a prick.
:Valerie: That guy, yeah. He probably wouldn't have turned out that way if it weren't for me.
:Mallory: Eh?
:Valerie: Don't get me wrong, he had red flags from day one, but he used to be an unstable homeless man that I helped reach a much wealthier state in little time out of generosity. But he was very much a beggar, I'd continually get tired of his crap and I'd hit him around to make him shut up.
:Mallory: Really?
:Valerie: Yeah, I was going through a really rough patch in my life and he didn't make it easy for me to try and take my time getting through it. Eventually we got physically violent with each other, but he only began doing it when I started getting violent to him. He went from a weak cowardly man who didn't get an ounce of the family fortune to becoming an almighty, powerful man who learned way too much from me.
:Mallory: He has told me once that you were racist to him, is that true?
:Valerie: No, I was never racist to him. If he said I was, he was probably desperate for attention.
:Mallory: Knowing him as well as I do, that makes sense, but why'd you do it?
Valerie sobs a little bit as she looked at Mallory. Even behind her mask, Mallory could tell she was choking up.
:Valerie: I understand what you were going through because my father was an abusive drunkard who was rarely home, and even when he was, he was only there to punish me for something my mother caught me doing. [sniffs] He threw things at me, and I threw things at Gonzalo too.
:Mallory: Your father was abusive?
:Valerie: Yeah, he would break chairs, tables, even bookshelves as he tried to punish me for small things like forgetting to clean the dishes or forgetting to make meals for the family. I eventually had him arrested a couple of decades later, but I didn't know how to control my own rage because I thought that was a viable way of releasing your anger. But it would take Syinara to finally teach me that wasn't okay.
Valerie looks really embarrassed.
:Valerie: I almost hit her with a chair once, like very early in our relationship. She snatched it out of my grip and set it down, then gave me a talk about how that kind of thing isn't healthy.
:Mallory: Oh jeez, I'm sorry.
Valerie gets up from her chair, running over to Mallory and hugging her tightly. Mallory looks a little confused, but hugs her tightly as they rest together on the spongy recliner.
:Valerie: The only reason why I didn't talk about it was because Gonzalo was a social media king and would be able to completely destroy the public's trust in me if proven word of that leaked out.
:Mallory: Yeah I understand.
Mallory gently rubs Valerie's shoulders.
:Mallory: It's alright now, okay? That stuff is long behind you.
:Valerie: I know, b-but it's just... I wasn't expecting to hear your backstory be full of abuse like that. It reminded me a lot of my own.
:Mallory: Mmm.
:Valerie: I forgive you, god damn it. I don't feel justified for holding anything against you anymore.
:Mallory: You are justified to not forgive me, but whatever floats your boat.
Valerie hugs Mallory really tightly.
:Mallory: You want to do the waiting game with me tonight and see if we can take out Silver?
:Valerie: Yeah, let's cooperate, Mallory. It'll be easier to take him out if we're on the same side.
Mallory smiles as Valerie gets off of her, taking deep breaths and sighing a little.
:Valerie: By the way, my husband and some of my friends will be coming over here later. They've been held up in traffic trying to get lunch, haha.
:Mallory: Oh dear, I hope they move through the traffic quickly.
:Valerie: That might be a while... while we wait do you want to, I don't know, watch television or something? We can't really do anything until we notice anything suspicious is going on.
:Mallory: Sure, why not Val.
Mallory smiles as she takes Val's hand, walking over to the couch where Milo and Finn are at and sitting down with them. As the television clicks on, the scene switches.
:2:28 P.M. · SATURDAY October 7th, ZXE-233
:Pizza Tunnels, Zeurth
Meanwhile, not too far away from Mallory's place, there was a place known as the Pizza Tunnels. Basically, it's a long, winding path of road where it takes an eternity to order food, get food, and pay for it, stretching out over two miles. Junkhead was stuck in the middle of it, with a very impatient group of people in the back of the car.
:Junkhead: Sheesh, this line is takin' zoinkin' forever! How long is this goddamn drive-through?
:Pierce: We've been here for four hours, and we're about halfway through, good lord. By the time we're done, it'll be six in the afternoon or whatever. Why couldn't we have gone to the other joint?
:Junkhead: Junkie knows best, Piercy! ...Sometimes!
:Pierce: Yeah, sure.
:Medea: Honestly it's not that bad when I've got my two lovers in the back with me.
Medea smiles as she gently holds Pierce and Zellen's hands.
:Pierce: I guess I have been kinda entertained just jamming out, so I'm not all that stressed I guess.
Pierce smiles as he opens up his record player, taking a box out from between his legs - the same one that Silver gifted him ten years ago - and pulls up Nirvana's "Nevermind" to listen to.
:Zellen: Yeah, nothing's as bad as long as we've got each other.
Zellen raises Silver's photo album up to her face, humming as she turns the page.
:Medea: I'm really psyched to meet Silver again. I can't believe he's still alive, you know, I'm really happy about that, since this DNA he's given us will help us live up to seven hundred years. Ten years of not having him won't mean much when we can spend the rest of our lives with him!
:Zellen: As long as he doesn't do something like sacrifice himself for Mallory's sake again.
Zellen laughs a little bit as she pulls her partners in closely, giving them a nice big hug. They've been together for a little more than a decade now, and they've been having great lives - even after Silver sacrificed himself.
:Pierce: What do you think, Rogue?
Oh yeah, their child. Rogue was sitting alone in the backseat, listening to nu metal while dressed up in very gothic clothing. She looked very rebellious, true to her name, and she had a piercing on her nose.
:Rogue: I don't caaaaaare about Silver, dad.
Rogue throws an emptied Banta can at Pierce's nose. He looks at her with annoyance.
:Pierce: Alright, you uh, have fun back there with your music.
Pierce turns himself back to his lovers as Rogue kicks back, jamming out to her hilariously cringe-worthy music. Pierce tries not to cry as he can very clearly hear Fred Durst's voice from where he's sitting.
:Pierce: You two ever notice how Rogue hasn't changed all these years?
:Zellen: It's just a phase, Pierce.
:Rogue: It's not a phase, mom!
:Zellen: Is too!
:Rogue: Is not!
Rogue throws a Banta can at Zellen's nose. Wrong move.
:Zellen: You wanna test my patience, Rogue?
:Rogue: What're you gonna do to me, tie me to the ceiling?
In the next shot, Rogue is tied to the ceiling.
:Rogue: I'll solemnly swear to be good!
:Zellen: Nope, you'll be like that for the rest of the ride! Listening to the same track, over and over again.
:Rogue: But mom-
:Zellen: No buts! Well, sometimes.
Rogue looks at her with confusion as Nickelback's Photograph rings through her ears, driving her crazy.
:Zellen: So how much further are we from reaching the end of the line?
:Junkhead: I reckon it's still gonna take plenty of hours.
:Zellen: Well damn it! I'm getting bored!
:Medea: Admittedly this is pretty dull, but what can we really do?
:Zellen: You act like we gotta be respectful to the law all the time.
Zellen snickers as she opens up the roof of the car.
:Zellen: Let's have a bit of fun, eh?
:Junkhead: What're ya doin', Zellie?
:Zellen: You really wanna be here for a fucking eternity or do you wanna go do a bit of lawbreaking? I know how I'm feeling today, personally!
:Pierce: Looks like I'm feeling the same way.
Pierce jumps outside of the car, landing nicely on the hood. He couldn't have done that 13 years ago.
:Junkhead: Alright fine, let's go.
Everyone gets outside the car, starting to race across the tops of the vehicles in their way. Pierce, Medea, and Zellen were expertly racing together above the vehicles leading to the restaurant, with Rogue being lifted up by Junkhead. Conveniently, everything that group taken with them was placed inside a big sack around Junkhead's shoulder, so he looked a bit like Santa to people who couldn't see him very well.
:Zellen: Nothing like a nice walk in the afternoon!
:Pierce: I would hardly call it a nice walk, it's like racing on a conveyor belt that's moving in the direction you're going in.
:Zellen: I'd still call it a nice walk 'cuz this feeling of breaking the law is giving me so much adrenaline.
:Medea: I think we still gotta walk a mile before we can make it to the kitchen itself, so let's move it!
:Pierce: Preferably quickly before the police notice us acting like hooligans. Take the lead, Junkie!
Junkhead grins as he runs ahead of the pack.
:Junkhead: Sixty-nine steps ahead of ya, buddy!
:Pierce: Nice!
The group race off to go get an early lunch.
::
::
:Junkhead: Heh, that was such a good idea after all!
:Pierce: You think they can still catch us?
:Zellen: Eh, who cares? They can bite my ass.
:Pierce: Alright then, let's go catch up.
:Rogue: But I don't wanna be holding all this pizza mother and father...
:Medea: Be quiet or I'm gonna do more than tie you to a ceiling!
Rogue shuts up as they get on their way.
:3:34 P.M. · SATURDAY October 7th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's Home, Zeurth
Mallory and Valerie were sitting across from each other at the dinning room table, arms around each other as they watch some sports together on television. They were over their earlier angst by now.
:Mallory: I've never really been one to care about hockey, let alone sports overall, but there's something just relaxing and calming about watching a game of baseball.
:Valerie: Yeah I can't name any big names in Satellite 15's baseball league, but sometimes I'm kinda gripping the edges of my seat when I can tell something big's going on. And sometimes I laugh when something funny happens, intentional or not, like when squirrels run out in the middle of a game of football.
:Mallory: Yeah I always find that shit to bring a smile to my face. Like, what's a little critter doing out on the big field? Run away little guy or you're gonna get trampled over!
Valerie snickers a bit as Mallory sharply grins at her. Mallory then hears a knocking on her doors.
:Mallory: Ahhh, I'll go see what's up.
Mallory is about to leap off her seat, but Milo and Finn are already ahead of her. They open up the slider doors, seeing the huge and menacing Junkhead standing there with Silver's old lovers and only child accompanying him.
:Junkhead: Greetings, sweet little boys!
Junkhead grins as he can't help but pick them up, lifting them up on his muscular shoulders.
:Junkhead: Leave me to Valerie!
:Milo: This way, big man!
Pierce looks around the place. He looked a bit bewildered by the strange architecture inside while Medea and Zellen looked really interested. Rogue, of course, was just ignoring everything as Fred Durst controlled both her eardrums.
:Pierce: What a strange place...
:Medea: I dunno, I like the cute spongy chairs.
Junkhead walks into the living room.
:Junkhead: AYYYYYYYYY! VALERIE AND-- Mallory!??
:Mallory: It's a long story, pops.
:Junkhead: I'd be! Ya've been doin' good, Mals?
:Mallory: Waaaaay better than since you've last seen me, yeah.
Pierce, Medea, and Zellen walk into the dining room, with Rogue shutting herself in the bathroom.
:Pierce: Oh. Uh, hey Mallory.
:Mallory: Hello, Pierce. And Medea, and Zellie, hoo boy.
:Valerie: Alright everyone, before you start panicking, I can verify that Mallory is stable and doesn't plan on hurting anybody. I'm still having trouble being totally confident about that, but don't start ragging on her straight away.
:Pierce: Right, I won't. I was just observing she was here.
Mallory heard Pierce's last words echo to her in her head: "I hope I can trust that you'll never hurt anyone else like that ever again. I sincerely wish the best for you, but I think that it'd be better if we didn't speak to each other anymore." They were good words, words she deserved, but the fact that he was intentionally seeing her again made her feel very uncomfortable.
:Mallory: Make yourselves at home for the day, we have a Silver to catch. Let me make it clear that I don't plan on killing or hurting Silver, I just want to figure out what his beef is with me and why he's taken my wife away from me.
:Pierce: It's really obvious why he'd have beef with you, but I don't get why he'd kidnap your wife. We'll eventually figure out what's going on and exile whatever demons there are from Silver's body.
:Mallory: I think he said he didn't mean to capture Altha, so I think he was trying to capture me, but maybe now that he has her, she's gonna try and use her to blackmail me?
:Pierce: You probably deserved to be captured, no offense.
:Valerie: Pierce, let's not start a shitshow please.
:Pierce: Sorry.
:Mallory: It's alright, I can't be mad at any of you.
Medea and Zellen silently take their seats at the table, with Junkhead eagerly following suit and Pierce much more reluctantly so. Milo and Finn sits at the table with them as Beau gets placed in a high chair.
:Junkhead: So what've you two been up to, eh?
Junkhead sets several boxes of pizza on the table. Medea quickly opens one of the boxes and starts to cut up some pizza as Valerie and Mallory try to come up with how to respond.
:Valerie: We've been discussing things from the past, the ways we've been raised, all that, the reason why I'm still here is because Mallory and I were able to listen to each other and figure out how each other were feeling.
:Junkhead: Oh interestin'!
:Valerie: I can't believe I was able to empathize with her as much as I have.
Mallory smiles a little as she takes a long sip of coffee and then a slice of pizza from the box.
:Mallory: I'm surprised I was able to really connect to anyone from the satellite after so long.
:Pierce: ...What do you do these days, Mallory?
:Mallory: I take care of my three wonderful children and spend my days with my wife, that's all I'm really interested in. I also write adult fiction and occasionally work as an English teacher for summer schools.
:Pierce: Ah, so you're a bit more laid-back now?
:Mallory: Yeah, I'd say so. I honestly don't care about being the type of person I was before.
:Junkhead: That's a good girl!
Junkhead gives her a noogie, making her laugh.
:Junkhead: Proud of ya! Well, proud of ya now!
:Pierce: Hmph.
:Medea: So do you know anything else about Silver?
:Mallory: Not yet, unfortunately. But I'm really... really afraid of him right now.
:Medea: Considering how he apparently broke into your home and kidnapped your wife, uh, I would be afraid too.
:Valerie: You know how I felt now when you invaded my home in the middle of the night and spooked Syi, Mal?
:Mallory: Yeah, no kidding. How do you remember that?
:Valerie: I remember everything.
Medea smiles as she finishes cutting up through the third pizza, giving everyone a couple of slices. Everyone gets busy eating.
:Valerie: Wait, how the hell did you guys get over here so early?
:Zellen: We decided to go "fuck it" and run the remainder of the way over to the kitchen to steal whatever pizza boxes we could gather. We have plenty more, although it won't be even close to warm.
:Pierce: More like Zellen decided.
:Zellen: Shut it, nerd!
Pierce shuts his trap. Junkhead picks up his plate of pizza, extending his jaw as Zellen fits three slices of pizza down into his jaw. He then rears his head back and gargles the pizza around in his mouth while the sound of a blender can be heard inside his throat.
:Valerie: I don't know why he does that.
:Junkhead: I'm regurgitating as much eaten pizza as possible so I can suck out all the flavor!
Pierce pushes his plate of pizza away.
:Pierce: Yeah, I don't think I'll be eating now, thanks Junkhead.
Pierce looks like a total wimp compared to everyone else though, since nobody else stopped eating. Mallory tears all the cheese off a slice of pizza as Milo and Finn deconstruct their pizzas, eating just the crust and sauce. They give the remaining pepperonis and cheese to their mother.
:Pierce: Jeez Mal, you've gotten quite the bel-
Medea elbow jabs Pierce.
:Medea: Look Pierce, I'm not super psyched about being here either, but being a dick is just gonna make things worse than they already are. Can we please be patient for Silvie's sake?
:Pierce: Fine.
:Mallory: What was he gonna comment?
:Zellen: He's just cranky because he hasn't gotten to sleep with another twink in ten years.
:Pierce: Hey!
Pierce blushes from embarrassment as Mallory snickers and returns to her meal. What was going to be a jab at her increased weight instead became a doubly embarrassing scenario for Pierce.
:Valerie: So here's the plan that Mallory and I decided on while you guys were out getting pizza. We're going to wait for Silver to come around tonight, if he does, and foil his trap and track where he's going. I'll chase after Silver tonight and see where he goes if he gets away.
:Mallory: Silver probably isn't gonna drag Altha everywhere with him, so we do need to follow him undetected if we wanna figure out where she's staying at.
:Valerie: Once we figure out where he's hiding, I'm going to need Silver's lovers to make it over to his place and talk to him. Hopefully by talking with them, he'll regain some of his former consciousness.
:Pierce: I guess that's not out of the ordinary if you consider Silver was able to regain his memories before. Alright, this sounds like a plan then. Let's hope to god that it works.
:Mallory: What god?
:Pierce: Uh, good question. I didn't think that through?
Junkhead swallows all his regurgitated food.
:Junkhead: His god is really just his twink boyfriend.
:Pierce: Stop bullying meeeee!
Pierce can hardly say that with a straight face before starting to laugh and cool his jets.
:Pierce: Alright I've been a fool, thank you guys for actually trying to break down my idiocy.
Medea and Zellen smile at each other as the awkward meal continues. Mallory has already eaten her way through a whole pizza box, plus all the pepperoni and cheese her children have given her to consume.
:Mallory: Tonight we'll wait for Silver to come, and then we'll see what happens from there. Got it?
:Pierce: Got it. So umm, where do we sleep?
:Mallory: Hmmm... those that feel comfortable being in the same room as me can come sleep in my room, I sleep like a baby so I won't be a persistent issue, and those that don't feel comfortable can take the spongy couches and chairs in the living room.
:Pierce: Understood.
:Junkhead: Ya know Val, how about we sleep with her?
:Valerie: Oh I don't know.
Mallory winks at them.
:Mallory: C'mon, I really won't bite.
:Valerie: Alright, Mal. Hopefully I don't regret this.
:Junkhead: HELL YEAAAAAAAAH!
:Milo & Finn: HELL YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
:Mallory: Alright, alright, pipe down children. You don't wanna start getting the potty-mouth curse, do you?
:Milo: No no no no no no no!
:Finn: NOOO NOO NOOO!
:Mallory: Very good! Don't use swears at the table, that's your mothers' responsibility.
Milo and Finn shamefully nod their heads as everyone gets up.
:Mallory: It's too early to take everyone to bed, who goes to bed at 4 in the afternoon am I right, but you guys can do whatever to entertain yourselves until 10PM. Then I'm gonna say lights out. Alright?
:Zellen: Sounds like a plan to me!
:Valerie: Alright then. Now, we wait!
:3:09 A.M. · SATURDAY October 8th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's Home, Zeurth
We're in the middle of the night again. And while Mallory is still asleep, this time she was accompanied by a very drunk Junkhead and a weary and awake Valerie Heartgold. Her children were sleeping in drawers - actually, Beau was still awake. He had a feeling something bad was going to happen.
:Valerie: Hmmm, so I haven't seen any signs of him yet.
:Junkhead: Stay low, lovely. Don't want ya to get in way's harm.
Junkhead kisses Valerie hard on the cheek as he wraps his whole body around her protectively.
:Junkhead: 'Cuz if that motherzoinkin' baby thinks of hurtin' ya I'm gonna tell him to stick his mike n' ike in my zoinking eye or scram.
:Valerie: I didn't wanna think of that tonight.
:Junkhead: Hush, yer just scared of the true power Junkie beholds!
:Valerie: Heh, you really are such a perfect husband. Totally immature but hilarious and well-meaning.
:Junkhead: And yer a perfect wife! Love it when you store your keys in my empty eye socket!
Mallory snickers a little bit in her sleep. What a bunch of dorks, she half-sleepily thinks to herself.
:Junkhead: Anyway, erm, I guess Mal's changed after all. All that effin' prison time must've changed her mind about how people should be treated. Don't ya think?
:Valerie: Yeah, I've had to give it a lot of thought, but I think I can accept being around her for the moment.
Valerie sighs.
:Valerie: It's just such a shame that I lost Syinara through her reckless behavior.
:Junkhead: Yeah that sucks, but hey, ya've been with me longer now and I'm waaaay harder to kill!
Valerie smiles as she takes Junkhead's hand.
:Valerie: How about a kiss for my brave knight?
:Junkhead: Gimme the goods, girl!
Junkhead leans down to kiss Valerie's lips...
:Beau: STINKY!!
:Junkhead: Eh?
Junkhead looks at Beau, who points outside. As Junkhead turns around to see where he's pointing at, the loud sound of shattering glass is heard, making Mallory sit up on the bed with an increased heartrate.
:Junkhead: There ya are, dumbass!
Standing in front of them was Silver, who had come back for round two. Valerie immediately gets up, still in her Sweet Invader outfit, and looks square at her adopted sibling.
:Silver: Who are you people?
:Mallory: If you hadn't spent so long seething or being alone, you probably would have remembered what valuable allies these people were to you.
Mallory pulls out her Mind Weaver as Silver does the same with his own.
:Mallory: What the hell do you want from me, Silver?
:Silver: I want to finish what I started a long fucking time ago!
Silver waves his weapon dangerously.
:Silver: NERVE SPLITTER!
Mallory leaps out of the way of his attack as Beau and the other kids panic and shut themselves up in the drawers. The purple beams hit the wall, making a hole through it.
:Mallory: Why did you let me live then, Silver? You wouldn't have dealt with any of this if you left me to die in the first place!
:Silver: Because I was a fool who was too empathetic for his own good.
:Mallory: Might be a little late to change your mind, yeah? You're becoming what I was becoming!
:Silver: No I'm not.
Silver swings his Mind Weaver about again.
:Silver: What you were before was a reckless, childish monster. All I want to do is to finish my job. I wasn't planning on hurting anyone except those that were getting in my way.
:Mallory: That's what I came on the satellite to do in the first place, except to you!
:Silver: And yet you were the one that started it all. You said it yourself.
:Mallory: Look, you're not wrong about any of this, but like you had a chance to let me blow up with the rest of the satellite! Why are you only making this decision now?
:Silver: I told you, I came here to finish the job. And I don't want to talk to you anymore!
Silver growls hard under his breath.
:Silver: NERVE SPLITTER!
As Mallory dodges his next onslaught, Pierce and Silver's other lovers can be seen rushing upstairs - only for them to get hit with the waves of energy. Mallory screams as she watches them fall down the stairs.
:Mallory: THOSE WERE THE LOVERS THAT HAVE BEEN MISSING YOU FOR A DECADE, YOU PRICK!
:Silver: Hey, maybe if you hadn't dodged out of the way, I wouldn't have hit them.
:Mallory: What makes you think I would have known they were going to come up, asshole?
Pierce groans as he tries to get up. Medea and Zellen were still alive too, just not in particularly great shape.
:Pierce: My back is broken again, god damn it Silver!
:Medea: I think we should stay here and wait before we go back up there, it's really dangerous right now.
:Zellen: No shit, Meddy!
Mallory feels a spike of adrenaline rush through her veins.
:Mallory: Alright, tough guy! I think I know what you deserve!
Mallory raises her weapon, causing Silver to raise his arms to counterattack. But instead of firing a spell, she kicks him hard in the nuts, making him wince.
:Mallory: How does the saying go? Something something "that's my purse", whatever.
Mallory uses her foot to shove him out her window, making him drop a story to the ground. Silver lands on his feet and begins to retreat.
:Mallory: After him, Valerie! Go go go!
Valerie nods, leaping out her window and spreading a pair of custom bat wings, starting to head in close pursuit of Silver.
:Mallory: Alright, alright, don't panic Mallory... wait a minute, Medea's a nurse. MEDEA, YOU'RE A NURSE!
:Medea: Oh right! Hehe, I kinda forget when I'm stressed out this hard.
Medea shoves medicine in Pierce's mouth, Zellen's mouth, and her own.
:Medea: It's gonna take 12 painful hours for us to grow our bones back and have them go back in the right places, uh, let's not move for a while, alright?
:Pierce: Where'd you even store that...?
:Medea: Didn't you know? Women have pocket dimensions.
:Zellen: One of the most important women tricks in the book.
:Pierce: Ahh... well thank you, we're alright now Mallory. What's happening to Silver right now?
:Mallory: Valerie's chasing after him right now, I'll let you three know about any further updates.
:Pierce: I'm gonna sock him when I see him again.
Mallory nods and looks out the window.
:Mallory: I hope we'll eventually catch him soon, I really didn't ask for any of this.
Away from Mallory, we catch up to Valerie, who's been chasing Silver down Coral Street.
:Valerie: Who the hell do you think you are, Silver?
:Silver: I don't know and I don't care, I just want to actually finish my job and then take an eternal nap! Why don't you see my side and help me kill her!
:Valerie: I understand your angst, we were working for that goal over a decade ago, but you're being really unreasonable right now! You don't care about anyone else around you anymore and I'm trying to figure out why that is!
:Silver: Yeah, well, I can't wait to have a really nice sleep!
:Valerie: What the fuck is your problem?
:Silver: MALLORY'S MY PROBLEM! And I swear if you get any further in my way, I'm going to snap your neck. You've been warned Valerie, why don't you heed the goddamn warning?
:Valerie: Why won't you see, gahh...!
Silver stops running, swinging around and knocking Valerie to the floor.
:Valerie: Wha-- HEY! I'm your adoptive sister, you bozo!
:Silver: I can't have anyone interfering with my goal, Valerie! I'm going to crush you flat now.
:Valerie: Fat chance, Silver, when you're being so reckless!
Valerie gets up, facing up against Silver.
:Silver: Sing your prayers, little one, don't forget to include everyone...
::
::
Silver breathes hard as he takes quite the beating at Valerie's hand. He gets up, looking at her.
:Silver: Believe me, this setback isn't going to stop me from doing what I plan to do, but god, your fighting style really is so familiar. Maybe I am starting to remember a little more about my life than just the crappy and awful things Mallory has done to me.
:Valerie: Have you forgotten that Mallory isn't completely responsible for your hell? She might have ignited the flames, but instead of trying to stop them, you tortured her back and kept them burning for decades? Mallory might have made a lot of mistakes, but you too!
:Silver: Don't you dare try to make this about me when it's about her.
:Valerie: Maybe it is about you when you decide it'd be a great idea to reignite flames that have been successfully doused at your own hand!
Silver scoffs and runs off, taking a car and driving it way away from her. Valerie continues to pursue him, after several minutes, we see Valerie stop short of exiting the oxygen-filled plastic tunnels of Zeurth as she witnesses Silver leap out of the car and swim through a trench. Something's up there...
:Valerie: Alright, looks like we know where to go now.
Valerie sighs.
:Valerie: I swear he used to be better than this.
Valerie turns away, a little heartbroken at the person her "brother" is starting to become.
===Chapter Four: What It Takes===
:9:14 A.M. · SATURDAY October 8th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's Home, Zeurth
Last night's events were rather extreme. Silver Zin had appeared at Mallory's home as hoped, but nearly killed his lovers in the process and was able to lose Valerie as she kept on his trail. All we really know is that he disappeared into a trench, which they didn't know whether it was a temporary shelter or a passage to his actual residence. Either way, Altha's whereabouts remain unknown. Mallory and everyone she's been with over the past day sat together with her at the kitchen table, eating cereal. ...Except Pierce, Medea, and Zellen, who were laying down on chairs since their backs still ached.
:Valerie: Can't believe he really tried to hurt me the way he did, but I don't know where exactly Silver's whereabouts are. All I know is that he disappeared into a trench and I couldn't chase him since I wasn't really equipped for that.
:Pierce: I really can't wait to give Silver a taste of his own medicine the moment I'm able to lay my eyes on him again. I love him, but that really really pissed me off.
:Valerie: Can't blame you, he's acting really irrationally lately. He didn't show an ounce of pity for anything he's done, like, what the hell? You don't just shrug off the fact you pushed someone down a set of stairs, even accidentally.
:Pierce: Yeah, I'm not gonna stop being angry about that for a while.
:Medea: Honestly I'm not really angry at him, I'm just really hurt he didn't think about what the hell he did to us.
:Valerie: Why didn't that snap Silver out of his mental state? He loved you three so much!
Zellen bitterly nods as Mallory takes a big spoonful of Cocoa Pebbles into her mouth.
:Mallory: We'll eventually figure out why he's being like this. I swear I haven't had contact with him since I thought he died. He just kinda came back into my life looking for vengeance I still don't understand.
:Junkhead: He probably just needs a little more heroin!
:Mallory: No.
:Junkhead: Didn't they make him a happy little boy? Maybe the issue is massive withdrawal?
:Valerie: Babe, if anything they'd probably amplify his problem.
:Mallory: There has to be a more efficient way of curing him.
:Pierce: Here's my personal suggestion. We should concentrate on capturing Silver first because there's no point talking about how we're going to cure him if he's going to be on the run and not listen to us.
:Valerie: Right, right.
:Medea: Why don't we visit the trench you mentioned? That'd probably be a really good idea.
:Valerie: Yeah, I think it'd be good to have a look at that.
:Mallory: Sorry for being kinda quiet, I've been thinking about how I'd want to approach this.
:Junkhead: Take yer time, lass!
:Mallory: Hmm.
Mallory taps her fingers on the table.
:Mallory: How about we take a hard-to-follow route through Zeurth, run around as much as we can, and then move into the trench while Silver's not looking? I'll be willing to explore it myself.
:Pierce: How're you going to conceal your identities?
:Mallory: We really can't, but we can come up with diversions to prevent Silver from catching us.
:Pierce: Like...?
:Mallory: Milo and Finn, go fetch our Halloween costumes please.
Milo and Finn excused themselves from the table and ran over to the closet, pulling out a bunch of Slipknot costumes.
:Pierce: Wha... oh yeah, that makes sense.
:Medea: Oh yeah, we saw these guys live with Silver a dozen times!
:Mallory: Silver doesn't seem to recognize you guys, so he's probably not going to recognize any of these guys. I'll wear a costume, Valerie will too, and maybe Junkhead as well. My children will be left behind here in Pierce's care as I figure out a path to take.
:Pierce: My care?
:Mallory: Well, you three have to stay here because there's no way you can move around freely just yet. Milo, Finn, and Beau will hopefully behave themselves.
Beau, who's been in sitting in a high chair, smiles innocently at his mother.
:Pierce: Tch. Fine.
:Valerie: I'll take on the plan, although I don't know how I feel about dressing up as one of these guys.
:Mallory: Oh believe me, I've seen you sing. You can sing low enough to sound husky.
:Valerie: Maybe you're right.
Valerie picked up one of the costumes, dressing herself up as the clown. Mallory tried to hold back her laughter as she dressed up as Shawn Crahan.
:Valerie: I don't look too horrifying, right?
Milo whispers to his brother.
:Milo [whispering]: I'm scared of Aunt Valerie now.
:Mallory: You look fine, Val!
Junkhead reaches down to the floor, placing on a mask with a long nose on it and a zipper mouth. He was dressed up in a strange black costume, making him look like ex-member Chris Fehn.
:Junkhead: You think this nose can be used to poke people from a nice distance?
:Valerie: Eek!
:Junkhead: That's what I was thinking when I saw your clown dress, dear!
:Valerie: I'm the clown??
:Mallory: Okay I mostly asked my children to pull out these costumes as a joke, we can change up our hairstyles and dress in some tight suits instead if you want.
:Junkhead: Personally, I don't recognize myself whatso-effin'-ever, so these work to me!
Valerie sighs as she tries to not express her disappointment with the random choice she made.
:Valerie: Uh, yeah these are fine.
Mallory picks up a Corey Taylor mask, placing it on her head as she dresses up to fit in with Valerie and Junkhead.
:Mallory: Don't worry too much Valerie, I don't think anyone is gonna recognize us when we look like this.
:Valerie: What about the rest of the members? We can't just pretend they've gone missing.
:Mallory: People on Zeurth don't know who the hell Slipknot are, this place generally shares very little in common with the satellites or with Earth for that matter. C'mon, these are flawless disguises.
Valerie nods.
:Mallory: When should we depart to make the path?
:Valerie: Whenever you two are ready.
:Pierce: Before you three go, please watch out for Silver. He's not someone you can easily trick... you might be able to fool him at first but try not to exhibit strange behavior or he's gonna catch on.
Pierce sighs as he looks at Mallory.
:Pierce: And uh, I wanna say something to you Mal before you go. Please try to be careful... if he used a Nerve Splitter, that means he really really hates you and might have even more powerful spells up his sleeve.
:Mallory: I'm surprised you're telling me of all people to be careful.
:Pierce: I'd say literally anything to get my cute boyfriend back.
Pierce rolls his eyes.
:Pierce: Don't think you're in the clear just yet, Mallory. But I do genuinely mean it when I say "do be careful", because if he kills you, he's probably going to leave us and maybe die.
:Zellen: And we really don't want to come all the way out here for nothing.
Mallory tried not to say anything that'd imply they're being selfish as she takes a long sip of hot coffee.
:Mallory: Right. We'll be careful.
:Pierce: Thank you.
:Milo: Jeez, he's kind of a bitch.
Mallory scowls at Milo, making him whimper.
:Milo: Sorry mom.
:Mallory: You are this close to getting the potty mouth curse, Milo.
:Finn: Yeah, shut your effin' mouth Milo!
Mallory rolls her eyes as she waves her Mind Weaver, shaping her kids' bottom jaws like toilet bowls.
:Finn: O-oh noo!
:Mallory: I'll wear off your curse when I come back, but you know how the saying goes, you two? Do as I say, not as I do.
:Pierce: Admittedly the way you dealt with them was kinda funny.
:Mallory: Thanks!
Mallory goes to open her front sliding doors as her children try to keep quiet. Talking kinda hurts when your mouth's shaped like that.
:Mallory: I'm ready, Val and Junkie!
:Junkhead: Alright, let's go!
:Valerie: The less I have to see the potty-mouths you cursed your children with, the better, let's go.
The three left the house, ready to go track where Silver's living at.
:Pierce: Alright kids, I don't know how to really cure your mouths, but you can pretty much do whatever as long as you clean up after yourselves and don't distract my daughter.
:Medea: Feel free to come to me when you're having trouble!
:Zellen: Kids are kinda boring, I'mma head out.
Zellen tries to get up, but remembers that she can't. She shrugs and pulls out a virtual headset, placing a cigarette in her mouth.
:Pierce: I hope that they figure out how to make things right.
:Medea: Yeah, yeah, me too.
Rogue, who's been very quiet and self-centered since her arrival, looks at Pierce.
:Rogue: Hey dad, when're we going home?
:Pierce: Eventually.
:12:24 P.M. · SATURDAY October 8th, ZXE-233
:Northern Great Trench, Zeurth
Meanwhile, while Mallory and her crew were handling how to reach Silver, he was hanging out deep within the trench, inside a small residence that was empty and bare. Silver held nothing dear since the only things there were him, the Dream Weaver, a tied-up Altha, and some chairs.
:Dream Weaver: Silver, how do you plan on taking out Mallory?
:Silver: My attempt to ambush her was ruined last night since she invited some friends along that tried to foil me. I'm going to have to use Altha to bait her since she's rather secure at home now.
Altha shakes in protest, trying to fight her restraints but only failing.
:Silver: I hope I can kill her sooner or later because I'd like to finally take my life already. I don't think I can rest peacefully until I know that Mallory's done with.
:Dream Weaver: Are you saying you plan on killing yourself when you take her out?
:Silver: Yeah, I kinda know I've been a horseshit for most of my life and I wanna put myself to rest too. But I wanna take her out first so I can feel accomplished about something for once.
:Dream Weaver: I don't think it's right to take your own life. Look...
The Dream Weaver sighs. He too was chained up, but only around the legs, so he could still fold his arms.
:Dream Weaver: You've been forgetting and ignoring the good part of you. You might have done some crappy things, but there are people who really really value you for the good things you've done for them.
:Silver: Does it matter if I hurt someone so bad I let them destroy a whole satellite?
:Dream Weaver: That sucks, but man, that wasn't your decision right? There were so many people that loved and cherished you. Hell, on the remade Satellite 15, they renamed its capital after you!
:Silver: I get what you're getting at, but I don't deserve anything for what I've done.
:Dream Weaver: That's not true!
Altha sighs as she hangs her head down, waiting for Silver's current episode to be over with.
:Dream Weaver: Isn't it selfish to want to end your life?
:Silver: Not if I feel like it'd let me rest. Someone I used to know took her own life several years ago, she was just 21, held a lot of personal regrets, and it helped her exile her personal demons. I can't say I agreed with that decision myself, but I understand her now, and I feel like it'd be appropriate if I did the same for myself.
:Dream Weaver: Well that person is stupid!
:Silver: Okay yeah, she was, but you get the point.
:Dream Weaver: No I don't!
Silver clutches his forehead with his nails before sighing.
:Silver: Anyway, I'm gonna use Altha as bait to lure her in, then take out Mallory. Thing is, I don't know how to make Altha cooperate.
The Dream Weaver swallowed. Then, reaching into his clothes, he pulled out a pendulum.
:Dream Weaver: I can hand you my pendulum to hypnotize her.
Silver reached out for it, but he swiped it back.
:Dream Weaver: On the condition that you don't kill yourself! Trust me, it's not worth it!
:Silver: Fine, whatever, hand it over.
:Dream Weaver: You promise you won't kill yourself?
:Silver: I promise, Dream Weaver.
The Dream Weaver sighs, then hands it over to Silver, smirking a little the moment Silver's eyes no longer meet up with his. Silver throws it up with his hand before catching it; he felt some kind of strange connection to the pendulum but he wasn't sure why.
:Silver: Right. I just have to wait to figure out how I want to set up the bait trap, I'll probably set it up tonight, then enact it tomorrow or whatever. But I need to head out of here to see if Mallory is looking for me. I need to keep a special eye on them or I might get captured.
Silver gets up with his pendulum, jumping into the water leading outside of his little cavern space.
:Silver: Before I go, of course I have to do this.
Silver waves his Mind Weaver, tying the Dream Weaver's arms to the wall.
:Silver: I don't trust you on your own. I'll be back soon.
Silver slips underwater, where we see his demon body glisten and shine surrounded by the deep blue. He elegantly swims his way out of the trench, appearing at the entrance to Zeurth's metropolis. As he steps in, he sees three strangely-masked figures staring at him.
:Silver: Have either of you three seen a purple-haired woman around these parts?
:"Corey Taylor": Nope.
:Silver: Hmm, I'll guess I have to look around town then.
Silver leaps off into town, completely oblivious to their disguises. Mallory breathes a sigh of relief that Silver didn't recognize her huskier, heavier vocal tone as she looks to Valerie and Junkhead, both dressed like her.
:Mallory: Alright, so I don't know if this path is gonna work, but at least these costumes work.
:Valerie: So we're going to sneak behind the museum, leap around that absurd 2-mile pizza place, take a subway, and then take a zipline all the way over here? That's absurd.
:Mallory: He's kinda all-knowing, so we can't just simply walk there.
:Valerie: Didn't you just say these costumes work?
:Mallory: They do, but people don't usually walk outside the metropolis. They have to take buses to get to other cities across Zeurth, otherwise they'll quickly drown or be fatigued by how much pressure is pressing against the ocean floors.
:Valerie: Ah, so you're implying our disguises would be broken if he saw us walking to the trench, I see.
:Mallory: Yeah pretty much.
:Junkhead: I don't look forward to walkin' this whole distance all frickin' over again, but whatever it takes, I guess!
:Mallory: Yeah I don't look forward to going through all of that again, but it's worth a shot. Especially if he sees through our disguises and knows he has to chase us around.
:Junkhead: Aye, yeah, I kinda see what you mean.
:Valerie: Alright, so what do we do now?
:Junkhead: How 'bout we screw around a little? You guys wanna go bowlin' or somethin'?
:Mallory: Yeah, sure, why not. I don't think we really have better plans.
:Valerie: No, we really don't.
Silver breathes huskily as he jumps around town, desperately in search of Mallory and her friends, before turning tail and swimming back outside. Mallory takes a sigh of relief and starts to head back home when she suddenly gets a call on her phone.
:Mallory: Hm?
Mallory picks up her phone.
:Mallory: Hello?
:Bidziil: Mallory, while you're looking for Silver, keep a special eye out for a pair of hooligans. The chess event was completely ruined by some guy in a pig mask as well as a woman that specializes in blades.
:Mallory: Oh god damn it.
Mallory remembers Motörmouth, at least...
:Mallory: Knife woman?
:Bidziil: She calls herself "Nu Blade" or something, she completely trashed this place looking for Mallory and seems to have hired that pig man as a personal aide. Thanatos is alright though, he'll arrive at your home soon to deliver potions you can use to slow down anyone that gets in your way.
:Mallory: Noted.
:Bidziil: Phoenix says he's making some negotiations with some guards on his home planet Satarth to make sure they're capable of taking those bastards in, too.
:Mallory: Where are they?
:Bidziil: They just left.
:Mallory: Shiiit.
:Bidziil: It'll be alright, just be really careful. There's like a dozen dead over here so we'll be focusing on cleaning up.
Mallory nods and hangs up.
:Mallory: When did Silver have the time to hire assassins? Son of a gun!
:Valerie: Silver hired assassins??
:Mallory: Looks like it! The chess round that Kýrios and Thanatos were supposed to have was sabotaged by two people that were apparently looking for me.
:Valerie: Greaaaaaat. [sighs] Hopefully we'll rat them out and take them out when we come across them.
:Junkhead: We just gotta stick together guys, that's all.
:Mallory: Yeah, Silver's taken it too far this time.
Mallory looks at both of them.
:Mallory: Bowling's cancelled, let's head home before we have to come back to a dead group of people ourselves.
:Valerie: Got it. ...Can I just compliment how reasonable and level-headed you've been this whole time? You really are a lot more rational than before.
:Mallory: Haha, thank you. But the behavior you're seeing in me should be expected from anyone, so don't treat me like I'm special and cool for acting rational.
:Valerie: I know, but I'm just genuinely surprised.
:Mallory: Well, I'm a little flattered by that.
Mallory smiles under their mask as they start to quickly move home.
:1:07 P.M. · SATURDAY October 8th, ZXE-233
:Chess House, Zeurth
The scene catches up to Bidziil, who's shown in a black-and-white checkerboard house with some visible red blood stains on the floor and several overturned desks and tables.
:Bidziil: God damn it, Silver has really taken it too far this time. I understand why someone would want to kill Mallory, especially considering everything she's done, but for one she hasn't disturbed the satellite in a decade and for two she completely rebuilt it and more. A little late to take her out, right?
:Phoenix: I think the reason why he wants to destroy her is because of some shady shit from their past.
:Bidziil: Well even then, his actions are starting to affect more people than just Mallory! I've heard reports of crashed vehicles, killed innocents, and rudely treated civilians all over town that've seen Silver poking around for signs of his purple-haired sister.
A man with a plague mask-sque face walks into the room, humming.
:Thanatos: Today certainly isn't the bee's knees, gentlemen! Six reported dead, oh dear, oh my!
:Bidziil: Yeah, you were a first-hand witness of it, Thanatos.
:Thanatos: Keep your face to the sunshine, good chap! I'm certain this mess is easily fixable.
:Bidziil: Just be sure that when you're ready to head out that you have the appropriate potions to hand over to Mallory and her allies, alright? I don't think they know how to use violence without going too far with it.
:Phoenix: Can't blame them, can you imagine laying a scratch on Silver right now?
:Bidziil: I really can't.
:Thanatos: Alas, I'd rather not harm someone wildly frustrated like Silver, but I acknowledge that it's a necessity to weaken him to get through to his tormented soul. I shall do my work!
:Bidziil: That's good Thanatos, keep your optimism going.
:Thanatos: Amen!
Bidziil sighs. You can tell he's not really patient for Thanatos and his sickeningly energetic personality.
:Phoenix: So are we gonna set up the chess game elsewhere? At least these two lords are still alive.
:Bidziil: Well, what do you think, Kýrios?
Kýrios was napping a bit nearby, with his wife Zodiez actively tending to the glass wounds on his arms.
:Kýrios: Yeah you, to you Kýrios says!
:Bidziil: And you, Thanatos?
:Thanatos: You can only get more in life by saying yes!
:Bidziil: Okay, so I'm glad that the chess game is still going to happen somewhere. At least you guys don't give in even when something crappy like this happens. I know musicians that cancel their performances as soon as they feel the temperature is just a slight degree off.
:Phoenix: True.
:Kýrios: Satarth?
:Thanatos: You wish to challenge me at Satarth, Kýrios my darling?
:Kýrios: Yes.
:Thanatos: Ho ho ho, may the hardest-working man be number one!
:Zodiez: So what's the plan to capture Silver, Bidziil? Do you know?
:Bidziil: I'm not really the kind of person that's knowledgeable in that line of work, so I'm hoping that Mallory comes up with some kind of solution soon. I don't know when she's gonna accomplish her goal though.
:Zodiez: Ahhh, well, I hope she figures something out. I trust that she can, I mean, she destroyed the whole satellite to destroy him so she should be smart enough to come up with something.
:Thanatos: See, being optimistic is the right way to go about things!
:Zodiez: I dunno, you can be recklessly optimistic Thanatos.
:Thanatos: No such thing, ma'am!
:Bidziil: Yeah, let's face it Zodi, you're not gonna break through to him. He hasn't been a pessimist his whole life and he sure as hell isn't stopping now.
:Zodiez: Alright... [sighs] Well honey, good luck with your chess match.
Zodiez kisses his cheek, making him blush and grin.
:Zodiez: I'll be following you to Satarth, though, so.
:Bidziil: Alright, Thanatos, while we're finishing packing things up here I want you to go deliver the goods to Mallory and her allies. We'll see you next on Satarth.
:Thanatos: Goodie!
Thanatos smiles as he pockets the appropriate potions.
:Thanatos: I shall swiftly return within 48 hours, a sweet guarantee! Rain or shine!
:Bidziil: Alright, good luck Thanatos.
Thanatos grins and dabs.
:Bidziil: Uuuuuuuuuuuugh.
Thanatos front flips athletically outside of the Chess Hourse, cartwheeling down Coral Street before leaping onto a street lamp and lighting a cigarette. He then swings around the lamp and makes a big leap, spreading out some fake-looking wings before soaring over town.
:Bidziil: I really can't wait for him to stop showing off and being all full of himself.
:Phoenix: C'mon, let the dude have a bit of fun, man. He's probably bored to death of your overtly serious behavior or whatever, I know I am, heh.
Bidziil grumbles as Phoenix eats a bunch of black licorice.
:Bidziil: You're all dysfunctional. C'mon, let's get going before Silver's losers find us again.
:Phoenix: What about Thanatos? We can't just leave him behind.
:Bidziil: He'll find his way back.
A phoned-in audience laugh track plays as Bidziil uses a remote to make a portal, walking through it over to Satarth. Sighing, Phoenix follows him in, as do Kýrios and Zodiez. Meanwhile, Thanatos is still soaring over to Mallory's place, looking down as he sees Nu Blade and Motörmouth chasing some Slipknot-esque people running about.
:Thanatos: Ah, trouble!
Thanatos swerves his way down to the ground, right between "Slipknot" and the alleged criminals.
:Thanatos: You two really didn't get that far, have you?
:Nu Blade: You better stay out of my way, Thanatos, or I'm gonna drink all your blood and spit it back in your mouth!
:Motörmouth: Where's your effin' beer, motherzoinker?
Mallory, Valerie, and Junkhead, all in their masks, cautiously backed off.
:Thanatos: If you don't stay away from these innocent folks, I might have to punish you!
:Nu Blade: Let's see you try, old man!
Nu Blade grins wickedly as she throws chef knives, butcher cutters, meat cleavers, boning carvers, salmon slashers, and paring blades in Thanatos' way. He snickers as he dodges each one like he were a skeleton in a blue vest, but if that skeleton were secretly a ballerina.
:Nu Blade: Huh?
:Thanatos: I'm brilliant, am I not?
Thanatos grabs Motörmouth mid-rush, smirking as he easily swings around the 620-pound man and throws him against Nu Blade, making them collide against the ground.
:Thanatos: Hmph! Old men still have tricks up their sleeves, see?
:Nu Blade: Hnng, no old man should be able to swing around someone that heavy so easily.
:Thanatos: Oh, I forgot.
Thanatos grins as he turns around, seeing Mallory and friends in their masks, which they each take off.
:Thanatos: Aha, I see! You're Mallory, Valerie and Rhett! A pleasure to meet you each!
:Junkhead: Hate to break it to ya, but I go by Junkhead these days, not Rhett.
:Thanatos: I don't know, I don't like to call someone a Junkhead, seems fairly rude.
:Junkhead: Junkhead ain't like, literal, it just means I like to use heroin. And I do!
:Thanatos: Do take my apologies, kind sir.
Thanatos bows elegantly as the two villains get up.
:Thanatos: We'll talk more later, okay? Here's the plan I have against these two, and I'll make it quick! You three run along, and I'll take care of them from an angle they won't see coming!
:Nu Blade: GET HIM, MOTÖRMOUTH!
Motörmouth charges at Thanatos, this time succeeding and knocking him straight in the air. But Thanatos is quick and clutches onto an antenna- since he doesn't appear to be getting up, they focus their attention on Mallory and the others.
:Nu Blade: We knew it was you bastards, who just waits around by the gates to the city unless they know exactly where Silver's hiding, eh?
:Mallory: Crap, these costumes didn't work.
:Nu Blade: Yeah, no shit! You think Silver's dumb or something?
:Valerie: Okay, but when did he have time to recruit you two?
:Nu Blade: None of your business really, but he found us in prison and helped us escape, on the condition that we kill you in a week or he'll kill us after then! Let's stop wasting time!
Nu Blade and Motörmouth give chase, prompting Mallory and her two allies to start making a getaway.
:Motörmouth: I CAN'T WAIT FOR ALL THE BEER I'LL BE EFFIN' REWARDED WITH!
As they run away, Thanatos lowers himself down, snickering as he jumps down to the street.
:Thanatos: I'm gonna give chase myself, take them both out at the same time!
Thanatos floats his way down the street, giving chase.
::
::
After moving her way through town, Mallory gets cornered at a dead end with Valerie and Junkhead. Nu Blade snickers as she follows them with Motörmouth, who's pounding his fists together.
:Nu Blade: Game over, bubs!
:Mallory: S... Shit.
Mallory attempts to use a spell to defend herself, particularly the burning one, but Nu Blade deflects it with a blade.
:Nu Blade: Tough luck, kiddos! Say good night!
Nu Blade raises her blades, making Mallory squint her eyes when suddenly she hears them groan and fall before her.
:Mallory: Hmmm?
Thanatos snickers as he's behind both the villains, purple-infused hands on their bare backs.
:Thanatos: Told you I had a plan!
Thanatos drags both up by their backsides.
:Thanatos: I poisoned them, so they generally won't be getting up in a while. Heheh.
:Valerie: Thank you, thank you thank you. I didn't take any ammo because I wasn't expecting to fight anyone today, so I'm thankful you came in before things got too bad.
:Junkhead: Was gonna fight 'til I saw Nu Blade swing Mallory's attack away like that, good god, they're frightening.
:Thanatos: Not anymore! Anyway, I'm Thanatos, and I've been asked to help you folks take out Silver. Do you mind if I come along during your quest to take him out?
:Mallory: I mean, I don't see why not, you just saved our skins while we came unprepared. God I should be better at defending myself, but it's been so long since I've felt any kind of rage.
:Thanatos: I don't blame you, Mallory. But thank you for accepting my offer! How about we go to your place, get some rest, and see what we can do about Silver tomorrow?
:Mallory: Yeah, let's go back home. That's actually what we were going to do before we got suddenly ambushed by those two.
Thanatos grins as he starts to haul the villains' bodies out.
:Thanatos: I'm gonna take 'em to the jail, ask for them to get healed up under careful supervision, and leave 'em there. Then we can focus on Silver tomorrow! You all have a plan tomorrow, yes?
:Valerie: I'd say so..
:Thanatos: Excellent!
Thanatos leaps out of the alleyway.
:Thanatos: See you later!
:Mallory: Alright, we'll see you later!
Mallory goes out of the alleyway with Valerie and Junkhead. From a really high telephone wire, we see Silver look down at everyone below with scorn.
:Silver: They were in those masks the whole time, huh? Looks like I was too oblivious the first time around.
Silver folds his arms.
:Silver: Alright, focus, Silver. Tonight I've got the perfect plan to lure Mallory to her death, I should probably enact on it as soon as I know just about everyone is asleep.
Silver smirks.
:Silver: After I do little bit of testing, Mallory, we can both finally sing our swan songs as we were supposed to a decade ago. And this isn't the last time you're going to see those two freaks, I'll make damn sure of it.
:9:38 P.M. · SATURDAY October 8th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's House, Zeurth
Much later, while nearly everyone was asleep - it was the same living situation as last night except the window to Mallory's room was boarded shut - Mallory heard a knocking on her door.
:Mallory: Probably just Rogue going to ask me for another cigarette.
Mallory opened her bedroom door by a creak. To her surprise, she didn't see anyone there, but heard footsteps heading down her staircase. She shut the door gently as she followed the noise, which eventually took herself outside. Popping out of a bush was Altha!
:Mallory: Altha??
:Altha: Shhh.
Altha places a finger to Mallory's lips.
:Altha: I spent a couple of hours escaping Silver's prison, but he doesn't know that I've left him, so you have to keep quiet and listen to me as much as you can. We have to talk about what happened in a secure place.
:Mallory: You sure my home won't suffice for that?
:Altha: It won't, Mallory. You know Silver's broken in there at least twice now, right? I know he was there after he got me.
:Mallory: Right, well, where do you want to go to talk? Anywhere will work by me.
:Altha: Hmm, I haven't given that much thought, maybe behind the museum?
:Mallory: Kinda random, but that's just like you.
Mallory giggles a little as she hugs her wife, who's quick to return it.
:Mallory: Alright, let's go.
Mallory walks away from her home with Altha, holding her hand as they start to walk up Coral Street. Unknown to Mallory, Beau had left the house too, slipping out a window. After bonking his head against the floor, he picks himself up and starts to tip-toe across the grass.
:Altha: We really need to be quick, okay Mallory? Silver likes to prowl the streets at night, we might get caught.
:Mallory: What about everyone else back at my home?
:Altha: They'll be fine, don't worry about it Mallory. He's only really after you, isn't he?
:Mallory: Well, yeah, but he'll hurt anyone that's in his way so... hmm, I'm just worried for them a little bit.
:Altha: Don't be.
Altha smiles at Mallory as she starts to pick up the pace, running through town with her. Beau tries to keep up, but as he's a child that barely knows how to walk, he goes back into the house and improvises by getting a skateboard out.
:Altha: I see Silver, Mal!
Mallory looks around.
:Mallory: Where? Where?
:Altha: Run!
Altha tugs hard on Mallory's hand, jerking her along. Beau follows them around, picking up speed a little bit before jumping on the skateboard and coasting after them.
::
::
Mallory makes it into the cell with Altha, who gasps and pants as she grips a wall for fresh air.
:Mallory: God, that was a long run Altha, are you alright?
:Altha: Are you?
:Mallory: Y-Yeah.
:Altha: Okay, then now we wait.
:Mallory: Wait for what?
:Altha: For him to pass by, of course!
Nothing happens for five minutes.
:Altha: Just give it a bit, Mallory!
:Mallory: It's been five minutes and he still hasn't shown up.
:Altha: Oh believe me, he'll come!
:Mallory: You've been acting a little off Altha, I don't like it.
:Altha: How do you think I feel after being trapped for almost 48 hours?
:Mallory: Sorry.
:Altha: It's fine hon.
Beau manages to catch up, even though he's only two years old, and walks his way into the cell.
:Mallory: Beau!?
Mallory picks up Beau, holding him tightly.
:Mallory: How'd you get here?
:Altha: Who is that, Mallory?
:Mallory: What do you mean, "who is that", this is Beau!
:Altha: I don't remember a Beau.
:Mallory: He's our youngest child!
:???: And soon to be an orphan. Good job, Altha.
Silver Zin closes the steel bar gates of the room.
:Silver: You might be wondering how I've been "teleporting" around, Mallory. Thing is, that's not the Altha you know. I hypnotized her so you could be baited straight to me.
Mallory bears her teeth at him.
:Silver: Come on, it's not like you're a stranger to pulling dirty tricks, right?
:Mallory: You are becoming exactly the person I was before.
:Silver: Believe me, when I finally take you out, there won't be a person like that again. And no people with that potential will exist again. You act like I'm the problem when you are and always will be.
Silver walks over to Mallory, holding his Mind Weaver up.
:Silver: Finally, no distractions... just you and Altha in the right place to be destroyed!
:Mallory: Altha didn't do shit to you, though!
:Silver: Well, consider it like this. I'm gonna kill her just so you can both see each other in hell.
:Mallory: Where do you think you're going then, Silver?
Mallory pulls out her own Mind Weaver, which she keeps firmly out of Altha's reach.
:Silver: Hopefully not wherever you're going. It'd be a pity if I had to deal with you permanently in the afterlife, considering I plan on taking my life as soon as I'm done with you.
Silver raises his weapon high.
:Silver & Mallory: BLISTER ARTS!
Both blast each other with fiery pillars. Mallory uses her arms to shield Beau from the intensity of the flames, covering him so tightly so Beau suffers as little as possible.
:Silver: I'm not done with you, GRAVITY ARTS!
Silver attempts to drift Mallory towards him with a black hole effect, but Mallory breaks free.
:Mallory: RIPPLE ARTS!
Mallory throws a tornado at Silver, which rips him of his clothes and forces him to cover up. With quick thinking, he picks up the remaining rags and uses them to cover up his body.
:Silver: Good lord
, you're still really strong.
:Mallory: If you don't stop attacking me, I will kill you, Silver!
:Silver: And what would that accomplish? Do you think I deserve it?
Mallory, still very self-conscious about her past actions, drops her guard.
:Silver: BLISTER ARTS!
Mallory gets knocked down to the floor, holding Beau as tightly as she possibly can once again. Her arms get badly burnt as she works hard to keep Beau safe, eventually being forced to let go as her grip weakens.
:Silver: I finally have you where I want you, Mallory.
Mallory breathes heavily as she prepares to use her Mind Weaver, but the hypnotized Altha takes it away from her.
:Silver: Pleasure doing business with you Altha. Last words, Mallory?
:Mallory: I thought you were better than this, Silver.
:Silver: Maybe I was. Hell if I know, I've been angry at you for so long.
Silver raises both Mind Weavers.
:Silver: Good riddance, fuck you!
Mallory closes her eyes tightly.
:Silver: BLISTER AR- YEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWCH!!
Silver cringes hard, dropping both weapons to the floor. Mallory looks ahead, quickly scrambling to grab her Mind Weaver when she sees what's happened: Beau sunk his teeth very deep into his leg.
:Silver: Oh hell, let go!
Silver attempts to break away from Beau, but his teeth sink to the bone and slice off his foot.
:Beau: Take that!
:Silver: Shit!
Silver winces badly in pain as he's forced to slam the doors open and leave, sacrificing his rags to cover his bleeding foot.
:Silver: I'll be back, Mallory!
He can then be seen using Beau's skateboard to go back from wherever he came.
:Mallory: Beau saved my life...
Altha leaves the room.
:Mallory: Hey, where are you going?
:Altha: I need to return to my line of work! I'll see you another time, Mallory!
Mallory sighs in frustration as she picks up Beau, hugging him tightly.
:Mallory: Thanks for saving my life, you little rascal. I wasn't expecting that, but you came during my time in need. Maybe it was just because I saved you twice, but...
Beau smiles as he hugs his mom around the neck.
:Mallory: We'll get back Altha tomorrow and give Silver the real punishment he deserves tomorrow. I don't really know how to think of him right now, but let's just return and take the rest of the night off.
Mallory rubs Beau's hair as she walks back with him. Silver winces as he goes back to his cavern, slipping open a jar of pills and laying down as he takes a pill down.
:Dream Weaver: What the hell happened?
:Silver: My foot got bitten down, I need 12 hours to grow my foot back.
:Dream Weaver: Welp. Good luck with that!
Silver hisses as he looks really, really pissed off.
:Silver: You better watch your back, Mallory. I'll be waiting!
===Chapter Five: River of Deceit===
:8:10 A.M. · SUNDAY October 9th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's House, Zeurth
The next day, Mallory and her allies gathered around the table. Pierce, Medea, and Zellen were finally sitting upright again and both Milo and Finn had their mouths cured. Valerie and Junkhead looked sleepy, but awake enough, and Thanatos looked very peppy. They were each eating cold pizza leftovers, a Zin delicacy.
:Mallory: Alright, is everyone awake enough?
:Milo: Yes mama!
:Mallory: Good. I think I should bring up what happened last night, because I had a really bizarre time and I'm pretty sure my sun Beau can agree.
:Thanatos: Ooh, I love bizarre and crazy stories!
Thanatos looked absolutely delighted, beaming from cheek to cheek.
:Thanatos: Do tell, Mallory!
:Valerie: Yeah, I'd like to know... [yawns] Why you weren't sleeping next to me, I was kinda loving your warmth if I'm gonna be honest. Junkie's too, but mmmm...
Valerie slaps herself.
:Valerie: I mean, wow I'm a lesbian, but why'd you leave the room last night?
:Mallory: See, that's kinda a funny story.
Mallory leans back in her chair, looking at everyone as she puts both feet on the table and sucks in a big slice of cold pizza. She slurps all the sauce into her mouth.
:Mallory: Altha apparently escaped Silver's whereabouts last night and tried to invite me so we could have a serious discussion about new plans in private. But little did I know that it was all just a trap! Silver made her become his bait, like entirely.
:Valerie: Oooh, that had to hurt.
:Mallory: Yeah, especially when she didn't seem to recognize who Beau was. And Beau, by the way, apparently followed me with his skateboard and saved my ass when I really needed to be saved. He bit off Silver's foot and stopped his attack.
Everyone looks a little shocked.
:Mallory: Yeah, don't worry, I'm sure he knows how he's gonna get a new foot in. It'll probably be like how you three got your backs back in terms of how simple it'd be.
:Valerie: Uh, so where are they now?
:Mallory: They've both gone back to the trench, I presume. I was thinking today we can finally take them out, since we know what path we can take to lose 'em and both of those bozos from last night have been taken out of the picture completely.
:Valerie: Honestly, thank god we won't be needing those masks again.
:Mallory: Yeah, imagine showing up in Silver's residence, wearing one of those masks, and then shouting "ARE YOU REAAAAAADYYY" to scare the crap out of him? Knowing the costumes won't hide our identities, we'll just go as ourselves. I do have a plan though.
Mallory smiles.
:Mallory: I spent my savings from working on my stories to purchase a submarine. I think I can make up enough money by the end of the month to be able to pay my rent, but we need to get Silver out of the picture first obviously.
:Pierce: Wait, how much did you spend?
:Mallory: About eight months' worth of money. It should be able to hold all of us, maybe a couple of more people, and whatever food we need. We can't all just swim to the trench from here, I know I can because I've practiced it in my youth with Silver, but I wanted to consider everyone else too.
:Pierce: That's sweet. Maybe you have a heart after all.
Mallory lifts her very burnt arms.
:Mallory: I used these arms to save Beau's life on two separate occasions last night when Silver tried to burn me to a crisp. I do have a heart, it just took a long time for me to use it.
:Pierce: Ahh, I'm sorry they're burnt. Medea can help if they're still aching.
:Mallory: Only if she wants to, I don't really want to be a burden on her this early in the morning.
:Medea: That won't be an issue, Mallory!
Medea grins as she stretches out her labcoat, pulling out some special ointment. She then runs around Mallory, taking her arms gently as she begins to rub ointment through the burns to cool them down. Mallory closes her eyes and relaxed as her cold fingers contrasted perfectly with the still-felt burns of her close encounter with Silver last night.
:Mallory: Thank you.
:Medea: No problem! I'd always do this for Silver whenever he burnt himself making pasta.
:Mallory: He still made pasta? He said to me that he'd like to start working on more complicated recipes some decades ago.
:Medea: Oh yes, definitely!
:Mallory: Huh, I guess he and I really do have a lot in common still. I love pasta.
Mallory smiles as she finishes up her eleventh slice of pizza. Pierce tries again to not comment on her appetite as they get up to go rinse off their plates.
:Mallory: Since that we're all well-rested, should we go after Silver?
:Thanatos: First of all, delightful little tale, it makes me all the more ready to give that sad twink a good ass-whoopin'! Secondly, yes, I am ready when you are.
:Zellen: I'm ready when you are, but I think we should really consider how we can make Silver remember everything. I mean, there has to be some kind of trigger, right?
Pierce started to think to himself.
:Pierce: Hmmm... gimme a bit, this thinking could take a while.
:Mallory: Alright, looks like we're as ready as we can be.
Junkhead jolts up.
:Junkhead: Sorry, I kinda fell back asleep. I'm not used to withdrawal, see?
:Mallory: It's fine Rhett.
Junkhead stands straight on his feet.
:Junkhead: Don't call me that!
Junkhead then realizes the logic in her doing that to him.
:Junkhead: Oh, that gave me the adrenaline I needed to be awake! Thank ya!
:Mallory: No problem, really. Milo, Finn, can you two be darlings and see if you can invite Max and, erm, whoever her name is to come along and keep the group tight?
:Milo: Ok!!
:Finn: We'll be back later mommy!
Both of them sprint outside. Mallory walks over to the kitchen counter, making triangle-cut peanut butter sandwiches for her children and storing them in Ziploc bags, also packing in apples and graham crackers.
:Zellen: What's the holdup, Mal?
:Mallory: Oh, I'm just packing sandwiches for the children. You know they're gonna say "I'm hungry" while we're halfway there, so I figured, why not come prepared?
:Zellen: You should make me a hot dog then, 'cuz I...
:Mallory: Zellen! Do you want a bar of soap in your mouth?
Zellen winces a little, having a bad flashback. She then shrugs her head.
:Mallory: Well?
:Zellen: No no, I take it back now!
Mallory snickers and smiles as she fixes Zellen up a hot dog in a bun. Zellen messily eats away at it, not bothering to comment further as she eats away.
:Mallory: Alright, I've packed more cold pizza for everyone and I've packed plenty of soda to go with it. There are also toothbrushes and flossers for people who care about their hygiene.
:Pierce: Hmmph. [sarcastically] Thanks mom.
Rogue, again being the ever-quiet one, looks at Pierce.
:Rogue: Are we going somewhere?
:Pierce: Stay here, you're not going to really like being cramped in a submarine for hours. I think I can trust you to stay here. If the house gets threatened, run away, text one of your parents, and tell them where you'll be sleeping.
:Rogue: Alright, sure, whatever.
Mallory hauls her cooler outside, with everyone else following her single-file. Milo and Finn catch up with Max and Michelle, who follow them each along.
:Max: Hello fine beauties!
:Mallory: The gang's all here!
Not yet having seen Michelle, Pierce and Silver's other two lovers looked fairly disturbed when they saw Michelle, who "frowned". Valerie looked unnerved too.
:Valerie: Erm, who is that?
:Max: This is my darling. Michelle!
:Junkhead: Well ain't she a fine beauty!
Junkhead pushes everyone else out of the way.
:Junkhead: Infest me already, will ya? I need my second eye today to keep a better eye out for Mallory, and a billion brains is better than just one!
As if replying to his command, Michelle dissolves as the ants that make her up very quickly climb Junkhead's body, filling his empty eye out with the red ants serving as his "pupil".
:Max: B... But I thought I was your husband...!
:Junkhead: They're ants, Max! Lovely little ones, in fact!
:Max: Don't cheat on me, Michelle!
Junkhead turns to Valerie.
:Junkhead: You don't think I'm cheating on you, right?
:Valerie: No, not really.
Junkhead turns back to Max.
:Junkhead: They're mine now, bitch.
:Max: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Max pounds his fist against the floor, which breaks from his infected gangrene skin.
:Mallory: So you still gonna walk with us, Max?
:Max: Sure!
Milo and Finn smile as they walk ahead of their mother - they knew today was a big day! Beau smiled as he laid wrapped in a basket Mallory's holding.
:Mallory: Let's go take the long path, see if we can lose Silver after he comes back in town, then pick up that submarine and head into the ocean!
:Valerie: Alright, let's do it!
Everyone heads off.
::
::
Mallory and her allies make it to a little harbor near the exit of the metropolis, with Mallory quickly grabbing a big purple submarine. With a push, they manage to get it into the waters.
:Mallory: Ladies first!
:Medea: But you're a lady too!
:Mallory: Cleaner ladies first!
Valerie, Medea, and Zellen head in first, followed by Pierce, Junkhead, Milo, Finn, and Thanatos. She takes herself and Beau in last, taking the submarine underwater...
:10:58 A.M. · SUNDAY October 9th, ZXE-233
:Unknown Ocean, Zeurth
Mallory and group have made it approximately halfway to Silver's trench. Their machine was unbearably slow, but considering Mallory doesn't make too much money, that's not something could be helped much. It would generally be more exhausting to have to swim up to and down from the surface, so getting a boat (and keeping everyone dry) would be very tedious. So... slow submarine it was!
:Milo: I'm hungry!
:Mallory: Yeah, okay, stop the submarine. I told Zellen this happens every time we go on long trips!
:Zellen: No kidding, looks like!
Pierce nods as he stops driving the submarine, parking it for now. Mallory pulls out some napkins, ripping them up as she hands everyone each a napkin and a slice of cold pizza. For her children though, she instead gives them their prepped sandwiches and food, and gives them each a small Dr. Pepper bottle.
:Mallory: Eat up, but take your time if you can. The slower you eat food, the easier it'll be to savor and the more your body will get out of it.
:Max: Damn, wish I would've known that. Probably wouldn't have such a shabby place if I didn't keep immediately eating food I've just bought.
:Mallory: How do you even make money, Max?
:Max: Oh y'know, I sell my homemade private tapes. Gotta give everyone some knowledge of my very fancy romance life with my wife Michelle!
Max folds his arms.
:Max: Or should I say... ex-wife now?
Junkhead folds his arms, sticking his half-eaten tongue out at Max as all the ants continue squirming about in his empty eye socket.
:Junkhead: You're just envious you don't have an emptied eye socket like I do!
:Max: Phh, I've had those ants infest my entire insides.
Junkhead looks away in disgust.
:Junkhead: I wish you kept your mouth shut, motherzoinker. Ewww.
:Mallory: Let's not make a gross-out scene people, people are trying to eat!
:Pierce: You've certainly become more maternal over the years, Mallory. Looks like Milo and Finn really rub off on your personality, huh?
:Mallory: Yeah, I'd say so.
Mallory smiles as she looks at them.
:Mallory: They help give me an incentive to be a better person. I want them to live the best lives they can, so it's important to me that I try to raise them as well as I can.
:Pierce: Well, good for you. I'm glad you've figured out something for yourself.
Mallory focuses her smile at him.
:Mallory: Thank you, that means a lot.
:Pierce: Don't mention it, I just think it's cool that you're trying to be a better person. Honestly you've really proven your worth lately, I'm a little more than impressed.
:Mallory: Heh, don't make be blush Pierce, save the kind words for your boyfriend.
:Zellen: Don't worry about that, even if he exhausted all his compliments on you today, he could make thousands and thousands more for Silver.
:Pierce: Admittedly I'm cautious about rooting for Silver because he's been a pain in the ass lately, but I'm really hoping it's not too late to change him.
:Mallory: I don't think it's too late, we just have to figure out what'd make him tick and go "oh yeah". Maybe if I scan his home I'd be able to figure something out?
:Junkhead: Do ya know where it is, Mal?
:Mallory: I'm sure that if I look around just a little bit I'll be able to find it.
:Valerie: Do you want me to come with you, Mallory? I know that we're both after him, and if I join you, I might be able to provide backup if he's still home.
Mallory nods.
:Mallory: Only if you want to, though. I was planning on going solo because admittedly I don't know anything about anything down in the trenches so having a helping buddy would be nice.
:Valerie: Well, then I'll be that helping buddy.
:Max: Can I come along? I think I can be of us.
:Valerie: Sure, let's travel as a trio. Be sure to place on the diving outfits, I'll be right back.
Mallory heads into a bathroom-like stall. She then comes out in very comfortable-looking swimswear, keeping her KoRn shirt in a plastic bag. The bikini was decorated with flames and had the logo for post-grunge band Seether stretched across both cups.
:Junkhead: Holy crap, you look great! Killer!
:Zellen: Man...
Zellen wipes the sweat off her face.
:Zellen: Good luck Mallory! You certainly surprised us with your looks, heh.
:Mallory: Yeah, I can tell.
Mallory playfully brushes her hair off to the side.
:Mallory: Now kiddos, and by kiddos I mean Milo and Finn, try to be calm and let the adults talk things out. We're in a very serious situation and I need you to help keep tensions low.
:Milo: Okay.
:Finn: We'll be good!
:Mallory: Alright, good!
Mallory opens up a hatch in the submarine floor, slipping into a small room with a hatchdoor underneath. She pulls Valerie and Max down after they've finished fitting on their diver suits and fixing on their oxygen tanks, and then closes the doors above them before submerging underseas. They were now in the open.
:Valerie: How do you breathe?
Mallory just shrugs as they begin to descend towards the trench. Milo and Finn glued their eyes to the windows to watch as they see a creature swimming out of the trenches - not particularly towards Mallory thankfully, but to the metropolis that they all come from. Mallory and her fellow divers pause a bit before continuing their search.
:Max: Wow, uh, was that Silver?
:Valerie: That blind-raged demon probably hasn't had his morning coffee yet.
:Max: Ah, I guess you can't really focus on things on the corner of your eyes like that.
Mallory was actually a really good swimmer. Not a frantic one, or a slow one, but a well paced swimming model that really knew what she was doing. She plummeted not like a stone, but with grace as she very easily made her way down.
:Valerie: God, sorry, I can't help but stare at her. That's so elegant.
:Max: Not really as impressive as Michelle's ants crawling through my skin, but still a rather noteworthy achievement nonetheless. I respect her.
:Valerie: I have the distinct feeling something's wrong with you.
:Max: C'mon, you'd like having ants crawl all over your skin...
Valerie held herself back from vomiting as they worked their way inside the trench. When Valerie enhanced her vision, she learned that it was more than just Silver getting away...
:Valerie: Ah, Altha left, and some loser I don't really recognize.
:Max: We better check out his home then!
Mallory descends down. They spend a couple of minutes trying to figure out where exactly Silver was staying, but when they notice one of them had a makeshift lightbulb inside, they go in there. They find a hollowed out, empty underground space.
:Mallory: So this is where he's been hiding out, I think...
Mallory looks at some of the rags on the floor. They're reminiscent of his clothes - yeah, this is definitely where Silver was the whole time.
:Mallory: I feel really dirty being here in this suit.
:Max: Hm, what were we here for again?
:Valerie: We were here to just observe, I think.
:Mallory: Take measurements, everyone.
Mallory takes some notepads and pens out of another Ziploc bag.
:Mallory: We have to record and measure this entire space, know where all the rooms are, and prepare the proper strategy. Knowing what Silver's habitat dimensions are like would help considerably with knowing how to deal with him.
:Max: Measurements?
:Mallory: You'll never know when you need measurements, okay?
:Valerie: Right, here we go.
Mallory and her allies scan the whole place for any clue items or anything useful. They quickly learn that it's a small space with some hidden small doors on the walls for safekeeping items, and that there's an unused second "floor" that's rather enormous and unoccupied except by bugs and spiders and such. However, there are candles up there, so Silver definitely took a look up above before.
:Mallory: Nothing here, but we have a good layout of his place now.
:Valerie: So we're swimming all the way back now?
:Max: C'mon, can we at least look further on the upstairs floor?
:Valerie: Fine.
:Mallory: If you think it'd be of any use, but I think it's just a full-sized cavern, Max.
:Max: Why do you think I wanna go in?
The three climb up the wall and venture into the cavern using flashlights. There was enough of an air pocket for Valerie and Max to get rid of their diving suits for now, but they were each horrified by what they've managed to discover there.
:Mallory: W-What?
Mallory couldn't believe her eyes. Before them were a handful of deceased octopus waiters! And not just that, but plenty of dead jellyfish people, all sorts of dead mollusk people, and a good chunk of slug people ended up here. Silver was a criminal!
:Mallory: I swear to god, I'm gonna have to kick his ass!
:Valerie: This is... really messed up.
Valerie sighs.
:Valerie: Why? Why did he have to do this?
:Mallory: I guess to be fair he might've been trying to stockpile on food, but this is way more than enough. He is a goddamn murderer.
Mallory holds her frustrated mind.
:Mallory: And he's pinpointing all of these actions on me just because I messed him up a little bit!
:Max: Don't blame yourself, if you do something you're responsible for it. You didn't do this, he did this, you might've been a bad influence but as long as you've paid the price and learnt from those bad mistakes you're gonna be fine.
:Mallory: Right, but...
Mallory touches the dead tentacle of one of the many octopus waiter carcasses.
:Mallory: He does do a really good job making me feel like utter crap.
:Valerie: We should probably turn back and report our findings to everyone else, then see what we can do about the measurements. [sighs] Sorry if I sound a little too unconcerned, I genuinely don't care too much, but it's frustrating to see him do things like this.
:Mallory: Maybe he isn't redeemable. What if I have to kill him?
:Valerie: Let's cross that bridge when we come to it. Let's head back for now.
Mallory reluctantly nods as they turn back, heading outside of Silver's home and swimming back up. Mallory drifted through the open waters, with a camera shot posing her just like the baby on the front of Nirvana's "Nevermind" album art before she rises back up to the submarine with Valerie and Max, entering back inside.
:Pierce: How'd it go?
:Mallory: I've seen too much that'd ruin your appetites. But I do currently have dimensions for Silver's place, pictures of how it looks...
Mallory passes all the collected notes to him.
:Pierce: Oh, cool. That massive second floor gives me a really brilliant idea actually, but you'd somehow have to make Silver go up there first. I'm gonna help make Silver's transition back to, y'know, reality easier.
:Mallory: What's your plan?
:Pierce: You'll see, alright? I want it to be a surprise.
Pierce grins just a little bit as he steps into an escape pod.
:Pierce: This isn't a trick, I promise. I'll return within hopefully hours, lurking outside the trench and waiting for whatever you plan on doing to him tonight! Or tomorrow, I can wait as long as tomorrow.
:Mallory: We'll see, we'll see. I'll text you when I know what's going on, alright?
:Pierce: Sounds good. Let me know when you're ready for me!
Pierce waves to Mallory and his lovers before ejecting himself outside the submarine.
:Medea: Damn, he must really know what he's up to.
:Mallory: Hopefully it's good.
Mallory sighs.
:Mallory: Anything to get my mind off all those innocent civilian carcasses he's been hiding.
:11:20 A.M. · SUNDAY October 9th, ZXE-233
:Local Prison, Zeurth
Meanwhile back in the metropolis, Silver Zin was walking through a prison hallway, dressed in a heavy trenchcoat and covered with a huge hat. He was certainly not wanted in town and didn't really want to get caught.
:Silver: Ah, Nu Blade and Motörmouth, pleasant to see you two here. Except not really, I'm very unamused that you two winded up getting captured again.
:Nu Blade: C'mon Silver, give us another chance! We weren't told to anticipate this Thanatos guy coming in to kick our asses, we just assumed it was just Silver!
:Motörmouth: I want a frickin' beer!
:Silver: Shut the hell up Motörmouth, nobody likes you!
Motörmouth sniffs as he becomes quiet.
:Motörmouth: B-Beer...
:Silver: Okay, I'm going to set you two free again if you actually do what you're supposed to and if you fetch me more carcasses.
:Nu Blade: We've already given you plenty though, you couldn't have eaten them all by now!
:Silver: Well, good point actually, hm. If you two do what you're supposed to do and give my entire body a nice scrubbing I'll consider setting you two free.
:Nu Blade: On second thought, carcass collecting isn't such a bad idea.
:Silver: Good choice.
Silver opens up their prison cell, sighing as he looks at them.
:Silver: I've certainly been taking a lot of joy out of your lives, so how about we take our anger out on a special someone today and have a bit of fun for once?
:Motörmouth: Yes! Free beer!
:Silver: You're not funny, Motörmouth!
Silver shoots him a scornful look.
:Silver: No, I was thinking we could destroy a special someone's property today, have our way with it, and completely total it. And it will contribute to progressing both of your freedoms.
:Nu Blade: And this is for...?
:Silver: You'll see. I mean, if you know me enough, you'll know exactly what I want to do.
Silver tugs them both by the arms, dragging them out of prison. Without a second glance, Silver uses his Mind Weaver to choke the guards to keep them down, then meets up with a hypnotized Altha and a weary Dream Weaver outside.
:Silver: How about we head to Mallory's for a quick trip?
:Dream Weaver: That sounds alright, uh, what're we doing there?
:Silver: You know, if someone can get away with taking away not just my home, but pretty much everyone's, I have every excuse in the book to strip Mallory's house to its foundation.
:Nu Blade: Oh cool! We're gonna get frickin' wild in that dumpster fire then, huh?
:Silver: Yeah we're going to destroy it, and then trap Mallory wherever we find her next since she really can't turn back home now. Bonus points if she's still inside the house as we destroy it.
The Dream Weaver looked really tense. Silver was losing it, he thought to himself. Silver's thoughts are irrational, they have been for a while but he is certainly doing more than "doing the right thing" and has been doing some damage around town for a matter of days. In fact, he was trouble since the day he arrived, he almost regrets trying to help Silver within his dreams, for he got caught and made captive as Silver's right-hand man.
:Dream Weaver: Yeah, because that's my idea of... fun.
The Dream Weaver sighs as Silver takes a bag and pulls out a bunch of explosives, hammers, and objects absolutely meant for total destruction.
:Silver: How about we make our way down and start working?
:Nu Blade: Hell yeah!
:Motörmouth: Beer to celebrate!
:Altha: Of course!
:Dream Weaver: Yeah. Hooray.
The five walk down the street from the prison, arriving quickly at Mallory's house. It still looked really good and furnished on the outside, besides the one hole in Mallory's room that Silver left there. But more holes were soon to come, and Silver was going to guarantee that.
:Silver: Let's take it down.
Nu Blade giggles as she picks up two mega-sized hammers, starting to break her way through Mallory's locked front sliding doors. Storming her way inside, she begins to wreak havoc by smashing objects off the counters and knocking heavy tables and chairs around, starting to make a scene in the living room. Motörmouth storms his way through each door he can find, breaking them open as he uses his strong body to punches holes through the walls and make pretty much everything unusable from sinks to lights.
:Silver: Good work, let me go upstairs.
Silver starts to lay down a bunch of explosives as a hypnotized Altha watches him do it, with Silver swinging the pendulum every now and then to his side.
:Silver: Ah, this'll look nice.
Silver glances around the place. He sees portraits of Mallory and her family on the walls, enclosed in expensive golden frames, hanging precariously from the walls. He sees shelves filled to the brim with books that Mallory's children would later get to read and understand. He found Mallory's desk, where she was busy writing her autobiography. And the boys' individual bedrooms, all nice and clean with many Lego sets and video game consoles they adore.
:Silver: When Mallory sees what I've done to total this place, she will show her true colors. And then we can get everyone against her and see why she must be put down.
Silver looks at Altha.
:Silver: Mind if you have the honors, Altha?
:Altha: Yeah, I don't mind.
Altha lights a match. Silver watches as she uses it to light the explosives he set around on the floor. He then proceeds to leap down the stairs, taking Altha with him as the upper floor explodes, with heavy debris crashing in through the kitchen, living room, dining room, and the like. And most of that was already getting sawed down and turned to scrap. In less than 30 minutes, it wasn't really a house anymore. It was shambles. Five years of a wasted fine life, a payback that is somewhat difficult to justify.
:Silver: Let's go back home Altha, I'm sure I'll figure out a new way for you to spend your life.
:Altha: Yes Silver.
Altha follows Silver back home along with a reluctant Dream Weaver while Nu Blade and Motörmouth relentlessly pound Mallory's home to the ground, until it doesn't look like anything anymore.
:Silver: Hmm...
Silver looks back at the mess.
:Silver: No more, I really need to concentrate on Mallory now. Everything that Mallory's ever owned has been destroyed at long last, now to just do the important thing.
Silver cranks his Mind Weaver.
:Silver: And that would be planning how I'm going to bait Mallory tonight, and then how I'm going to kill her at long fucking last.
:1:37 P.M. · SUNDAY October 9th, ZXE-233
:Unknown Ocean, Zeurth
This was it. Mallory was swimming down to check on Silver again. She had to know if today's the day. But before we get to her, let's check in on our folks on the submarine.
:Zellen: What do you think Pierce was up to, Meddy?
:Medea: Honestly I don't have a clue, he never gets all excited like that.
:Zellen: See, that's what's been confusing me!
Zellen thinks as hard as she can.
:Zellen: Nope, I have no idea what he's up to. Then again I'm not really the initiative type, I'm more of the attention-seeking person type.
:Junkhead: You and I both, Zellie! Cheers!
Zellen and Junkhead clink their wine glasses together. Things have gotten out of hand a little bit after someone decided to find and open the alcohol.
:Junkhead: So with all the little ants on the surface of my eye socket, how many do you think you can count Val?
:Valerie: Uhh...
Valerie squints her eyes.
:Valerie: Damn it, I can't when they're all moving around like that!
:Junkhead: Man, yer no fun sometimes Val.
Junkhead turns to Max.
:Junkhead: How many ants in my eye, Max?
:Max: Of those on the surface, I'd say at least three thousand.
:Junkhead: Ehh? What makes you so sure?
:Max: I've named every single ant and I know them all individually. I can think of three thousand names at once!
:Junkhead: You named all these ants?
:Max: What do you think I sit in my house doing all day?
Junkhead slowly whispers "psst go bug off and bug Max" to the ants in his eye, which leave him and reform into Michelle, who "sits" by Max and "takes his hand".
:Milo: Hey Aunt Valerie, when will mommy be back?
:Valerie: Hopefully soon.
Finn sips from his cup of wine.
:Finn: Wine good!
Valerie shrieks, her cat ears on end as she takes the glass away.
:Valerie: W-Wine is bad for you, Finn!
:Finn: B-But Aunt Valer-
:Valerie: No buts!
:Zellen: Except for the ones that matter!
:Valerie: Ayyyyy!
:Zellen: AYYYYYY!
Valerie and Zellen clink wine glasses of their own as Finn folds his arms, pouting quietly as Milo rolls his eyes and rubs a sleeping Beau's hair.
:Junkhead: I'm sure yer mother will be alright, you just gotta give her time.
:Milo: We gave her time!
:Junkhead: Give her a lot effin' more then, chap!
Mallory descends to Silver's cavern in the trench, raising her head slowly from the surface. Mallory wasn't exactly liking that the cavern actually has stuff in it now, nice scented candles were a big red flag for her right off.
:Mallory: Oh.
Mallory whimpers quietly.
:Mallory [whispering]: Crap.
Mallory tip-toes her way forward. She tries to keep herself slow, trying not to make a sound, knowing even the slightest off-putting sound could alert Silver to her presence.
:Mallory [whispering]: O-Oh no.
Mallory could hear music, a romantic kind.
:Mallory [whispering]: Okay Mallory, get ahold of yourself... ahahaha, that's just a funny coincidence... isn't it?
Mallory feels hesitance to turn the corner.
:Mallory [whispering]: Do I? Do I dare?
Mallory paces back to the entrance from where she came.
:Mallory [whispering]: Okay, Mallory, let's give you a pep talk. Altha loves you more than anyone else in the whole damn world, she would not do that to you.
Mallory takes a deep breath.
:Mallory [whispering]: God, why am I afraid? Why can't I... move?
Mallory gulps.
:Mallory [whispering]: Maybe he's just playing sad music to get ahold of himself, right?
:Silver: Heh.
Mallory suddenly panics, almost tripping backwards. But nothing happens right afterward.
:Mallory [whispering]: God, crap, I thought he caught me here.
:Dream Weaver: Silver, she's here.
:Silver: What do you mean, this is a whole new experience for you? Not your first time, isn't it?
:Mallory [whispering]: Altha is around the other end, around the other end...
Mallory braces her fears and heads opposite of Silver's voice, facing the other room. But she sees nothing but the Dream Weaver at a dead end, tied up via his arms and legs.
:Dream Weaver: This is a little embarrassing, isn't it? Hello, Mallory.
:Mallory [whispering]: Fuck, I thought... I thought Altha was here.
:Dream Weaver: Please do yourself a favor and don't see her right now. I... I don't really want you to be getting the wrong idea. I can't stop you, but do as you may.
:Mallory [whispering]: Just be honest! What's going on?
:Dream Weaver: Stop whispering, he can't hear you. In fact, with the way things are happening, it'll be a while before he can finally hear you.
:Mallory: What the hell, did I just come here with the worst goddamn timing or what?
:Dream Weaver: I'm going to keep it real with you Mallory, you're probably going to have to kill him. Not right now, if he does realize you're here he will give you a really grave end here and now. But when it comes to the point where you two can finally fight...
He leans his head down.
:Dream Weaver: Kill him. He's done plenty of horrible things since his resurgence and his train is going to continue going further off the tracks.
:Mallory: But-
:Dream Weaver: I really doubt you're going to change him, Mallory. Do what you can do.
Mallory gulps. Mallory turns both corners and prepares to head outside, when a horrible headache hits her head.
:Mallory: But I really need to, know.
Mallory groans as she turns the corner. She shouldn't have listened to her gut instinct: Silver's robed body was laying above Altha's, staring right into her unfocused eyes, mumbling things into her ear. The vivid image of Silver taking her wife, her one desire, the one person that changed her, really sickened her on the inside. And even though Mallory was in clear eyesight, Silver wasn't about to stop.
:Mallory: I... I-I...
When Silver rears his head up, he doesn't see anything. Mallory already bolted so they could be left alone.
:Silver: What was that, Altha?
:Altha: I-I don't know.
:Silver: Tch. I-I don't know either.
Mallory looks horrible as she swam quickly back up to the submarine, smashing her head against it as she surfaces. Panting horribly, she re-enters and immediately burst into tears, going into the master bedroom and sobbing it out on the bed.
:Valerie: Mallory?
:Mallory: Shut up! I don't want to talk to anyone anymore!
Mallory clumsily climbs the mattress, curling up into a ball as her nails scratch into her kneecaps.
:Valerie: What happened? Are you alright?
:Mallory: H-How would you feel if Syi cheated on you? How would Scotch feel if Oshelia cheated on him? Fuck me if I know!
Mallory sobs hard into the bed. Valerie's ears go down a little bit. She feels pretty sorry for her.
:Mallory: Listen to me, I've been with that woman for a whole decade! She helped me through so many horrible things, gave me three absolutely wonderful children, and such a powerful influence on my life... then she gave me up for my demented brother!
Mallory punches the wall really hard. Thankfully the submarine didn't tank open from that.
:Valerie: I... hey, you sure it's not something Silver had control over?
:Mallory: I don't know, I don't want to go back to check my facts right now!
Mallory breathes hard as she turns around, clutching her stomach. It was terribly knotted- not literally, but it felt so much like so. An awful feeling of betrayal was overwhelming her.
:Mallory: Next thing you're going to tell me, my house is destroyed!
Valerie goes silent upon hearing that.
:Mallory: IS IT?
:Valerie: Pierce texted me and said it was when he went there to go initiate his plan.
:Mallory: G... God DAMN it!
Mallory stomps the floor really hard.
:Mallory: I'm sick of this world treating me like crap! First my mother, then my brother, then a whole goddamn satellite, and then my brother again! And a bunch of other people I don't care to name! Why did this have to happen to me?
Valerie sighs.
:Valerie: I'm so sorry, honey.
Valerie gently boards the bed as she pats her lap. Junkhead gives her the immediate thumbs up, letting her know that he is completely cool with this.
:Valerie: Come here, Mallory.
Mallory sniffs as she climbs Valerie's lap, bawling her eyes out into her neck. Valerie sighs gently as she rubs her nails against Mallory's back shoulders, trying to ease her tension as she looks at this once-notorious woman deep in the eyes.
:Valerie: Syinara was cheated on by her old girlfriend Hene, it's a story she's told me many times. I don't remember why Hene cheated on her, but I think it boiled down to Syi's insecurities, which Hene wasn't really respectful of. Or maybe Hene just didn't care enough.
Valerie pulls Mallory in for a tight supportive hug.
:Valerie: And... as I've told you before, I haven't exactly had the strongest relationships or dates in my life, Gonzalo included. I don't know 100% how you feel, but...
Valerie squeezes her shoulders.
:Valerie: I'm here for you. If you think I'm holding anything against you right now, cast all those feelings aside, because I want to offer nothing but my full support.
:Mallory: W-Why are you being nice to me?
:Valerie: Because I like you. Now, anyway.
Valerie squeezes her hands, gently.
:Valerie: I had to take a while to think about it, as you might guess, but we're friends. Right?
:Mallory: I guess we are friends, yeah?
:Valerie: Then you have nothing to be afraid of.
Valerie rolls onto her back, pulling Mallory on top as she gently snuggles with her.
:Valerie: Maybe we can go take a break in another city a couple hours from now? I'd like to help clear some of the stress that's built up in your head, if you'd care for that kind of help from me.
:Mallory: If you want to.
:Valerie: I do want to! Besides, I'd rather not stay in some crappy submarine all night or risk getting in that monster's crossfire.
Valerie wraps a blanket around them, keeping Mallory as cozy as possible as she stays with her.
:Valerie: Hey, can we get some snuggles in here or what? Y'all gonna leave us stranded here like we're each other's lesbians?
:Junkhead: I was lookin' for an excuse to join in but I really didn't wanna make y'all feel weird 'bout it.
Junkhead, Medea, Zellen, Milo, Max, Michelle, Finn, and Beau enter the room, climbing onto the bed and joining them. Thanatos remained asleep, probably not ready yet for action.
:Valerie: See, Mallory? It's not the end if you lose someone you love, even if it's that person you hold dearest.
Mallory pulls her face from Valerie's neck, still soaked with tears, but also a bit of anger, confusion, and relief.
:Valerie: We're all here for you now. We might've not been before, but we are here now, especially because you've proven you're worthy of our redemption and reconsideration of you.
Valerie kisses her cheek as the rest snuggle up to them, with Junkhead laying on Mallory from above and giving her a nice noogie, messing up her hair a bit.
:Mallory: Whaaa?
:Valerie: Alright Mallory, focus. Later, we're going to help you kick Silver's ass. And you'll have the honors of capturing him and screaming all you want. Alright?
Mallory nods.
:Mallory: Alright...
:Valerie: C'mon, let's take a walk.
:Junkhead: Awww, but snuggles just got started!
:Valerie: We can't lose much time, we have to try and fit everything into schedule.
Valerie gently gets up, helping dress Mallory into her usual outfit.
:Valerie: Someone call Pierce and tell him to change plans to be for tomorrow, it'd probably be better if Silver thought we weren't out waiting for him that evening anyway.
:Medea: I'll be on it!
:Valerie: Follow me, Mallory.
Valerie quickly guides her out of the bed, leaving the rest to snuggle up as Valerie places on her diving suit again. Mallory places one on this time around, too.
:Valerie: Are you familiar with these city names?
:Mallory: They don't have any, they're all called Zeurth something with a number by the end. And it's always like 10 digits long.
:Valerie: Well, crap.
Valerie laughs.
:Valerie: There's a city nearby your own that is pretty much Silver-free. And you know what it's got? A really nice place to walk in and take your mind off things. It's also got a nice Italian restaurant on the main road, I've been exploring places to check out with Zellen and I think that place sounds nicest.
:Mallory: Well, let's go there, then.
Valerie nods as he opens the doors to the undersea world, with her and Mallory starting to walk off to a new place, a new environment together, just for the moment, though.
::
::
Mallory and Valerie eventually escape the undersea world.
:Valerie: Well, here we are, Mallory.
:Mallory: This place is so huge, yeah, I think this'll do for clearing my mind and giving me time to think. Let's go, Val.
:2:18 P.M. · SUNDAY October 9th, ZXE-233
:Northern Great Trench, Zeurth
Meanwhile, back with Silver and Altha, an unconscious Silver was laying down on the floor. Altha had committed her one act of violence, and it was smacking him hard across the cheek.
:Altha: I can't believe I hit someone.
Altha holds her head.
:Altha: God, where am I? How long have I been here?
:Dream Weaver: You were subject to the power of Silver's pendulum, which rendered you under a mostly hypnotic state for days. My sincerest apologies.
:Altha: Who are you?
:Dream Weaver: That doesn't really matter, but I really wish I wasn't here right now.
The Dream Weaver sighs.
:Dream Weaver: Silver forgot to keep swinging his pendulum because his craving for something his heart didn't hold anymore had gotten too strong. He was given a love potion, which kinda mess around with his head until you smacked him unconscious.
:Altha: What do you mean, something his heart can't hold anymore?
:Dream Weaver: Sweet summer child, I'm talking about love. I've been trying to think of what's been unusual about Silver, but it appears that his heart has been filled in by hate. Hate, regret, and despair. And that seems to mold almost all of him now.
Altha shakily nods.
:Dream Weaver: I gave him the love potion so he could feel, but I didn't realize how strong that craving would be, nor did I think that he'd give it to you while under that influence.
Altha sticks out her tongue, taking some disgusting black gunk off her tongue.
:Altha: What is this??
:Dream Weaver: You eventually made out with Silver, yeah, wouldn't be my proudest moment either.
Altha looked like she was about to vomit.
:Dream Weaver: And Mallory witnessed it. She was there for a moment, then she bolted off seeing what she had seen. I think it's best that you try to talk to her, leave while you can.
:Altha: Can I?
:Dream Weaver: If you're quick. Hmmm, I would recommend fixing Mallory's broken heart, yes. Silver... Silver needs his lovers back to fix that heart.
Altha nods as she looks down at Silver's unconscious body.
:Altha: I feel bad for him, though. He felt such a desire to have love again, to have some kind of feeling, only for me to reject it and give him the first ever act of violence in my life.
:Dream Weaver: It was deserved, though. You weren't cool with it.
:Altha: I mean yeah, but-
:Dream Weaver: Don't argue with logic, Altha.
:Altha: Right.
Altha kept looking down at him. Something about just feeling him cold on the floor made her wildly uncomfortable.
:Altha: Who's going to fill the hole in his heart if his lovers don't, sir?
:Dream Weaver: Maybe I will. Whatever he wants, I guess I'll consent to it, it's not like I'm going to find true love one of these days either. I might get lucky with a random stranger online, but god damn, they're only fun for so long until you realize they don't necessarily match up with who they are in reality.
The Dream Weaver points the way out.
:Dream Weaver: Please go, Altha, before he gets up and you really do become his lover.
Altha nods and runs her way out of Silver's prison. She drifts her way out to sea, now in search of Mallory or wherever her friends are. But she swims as far away from Silver as she can.
:Dream Weaver: God, everyone's been tumbling into this river of deceit, huh...
===Chapter Six: November Hotel===
:3:47 P.M. · SUNDAY October 9th, ZXE-233
:Mallory's House Shambles, Zeurth
Meanwhile, over at the remains of Mallory's old house, Pierce was sitting there all geared up like a pilot, near a big rocket as he's busy texting away to random people.
:Pierce: Wish I could slap the roof of Silver's cavern and say "this bad boy can fit several dozen more bad boys inside of it" 'cuz that's kinda the summary of my plan. This is probably a really bad idea but...
We get a glimpse of Pierce's phone, where he pastes an invitation in Azrail's direct messages on Risquord. The message reads the following:
:Pierce [texting]: Hello, Azrail! I'm inviting you to come to Zeurth and throw a big welcome-back party for an old friend of mine! If you are willing to accept my invitation, respond back positively and I will go ahead and pick you up tonight for something totally radical! If you don't want to accept my invitation, don't reply and ignore this message!
:Azrail [texting]: uh
:Azrail [texting]: an old friend?
:Pierce [texting]: I can't spoil his name because I fear that it might not be a good idea for the masses! But if you learn who it is, you will likely embrace him with open arms!
:Azrail [texting]: did someone hack u pierce?
:Pierce [texting]: is this a yes or a no
:Azrail [texting]: okay sure yeah whatever i've been meaning to take a break from my mayor duties for some time now
:Pierce [texting]: Alright, great! Meet you tomorrow!
Pierce moves on to the next person on his phone.
:Pierce: I've really gotta repeat that message for a lot of people.
A montage plays of Pierce texting several people very similar messages with minimal wording changes. He invites a number of people from a variety of satellites out to this strange-sounding party.
:Scotch [texting]: As long as you've got cold cuts somewhere!
:Devina [texting]: I've been dying for something to do, so yeah, why not?
:Arikan [texting]: I'll come along, might make cupcakes for the occasion!
:Whiskey [texting]: Yee haw, that sounds like a grand old time!
:Smartie [texting]: lol ok ill come ter yer slumber party
:Mania [texting]: I'll take Hunjan with me, it'll be all fun and games!
:Keil [texting]: can i decorate things?? can i make things blow up??
:Penny [texting]: If my broken back won't get in the way I'll pay you a visit!
:Zonas [texting]: gimme a bit, i gotta make sure sinicini and adexene wanna go
:Crymsia [texting]: I'd be delighted to come Pierce :>
:Chance [texting]: What are the chances of you inviting an old man to a party? I suppose I'm pretty lucky!
:Frink [texting]: .
:Noise [texting]: I'm being gay right now but I'll accept your invitation!
:Oyster [texting]: ummm sure ill be sure to bring plenty of drinks
:Methademic [texting]: i am holding your parents captive, if you want them back, you have to pay me a handsome amount of meth. i have sent you a severed finger so you know i am effin serious
:Dusty [texting]: i'd be honored! - ferris who's helping dusty type
:Mr. Dick [texting]: Bro you just posted cringe :/
:Mr. Dick [texting]: You are going to lose subscriber!
:Vizole [texting]: Hello old friend! I'd be delighted to party with you!
:Agantuk [texting]: Oh hey, long time no see! I'm surprised you're inviting me, considering how I accidentally ruined your boyfriend's life ten years ago, but I won't shy away from this party! Thank you for the invitation!
:Rose [texting]: I'd normally decline, but I think all seven of my children would love to have a party.
:Nomila [texting]: five more minutes, zzz.
:Munira [texting]: who are you again?
:Gonzalo [texting]:
:Pierce: I love sending Gonzalo things because he can't read any of it.
:Abraham [texting]: I'll make cupcakes!
:Lucifer [texting]: owo?
:Nyxiel [texting]: How does your communication span time and dimensions!? Either way, uhh, sure! I'll drop by.
:Reten [texting]: yeah i could use a break i guess
:Mynis [texting]: Uh, yeah whatever I'm in, just keep your forks away from me.
:Melissa [texting]: fffuck h
:Melissa [texting]: if zodiez isnt there im not interested
:Bril [texting]: Count me in!
:Zephon [texting]: I'm in the middle of something right now...!
:Beam [texting]: I guess you're all an alright bunch, I'll see if Amber wants to come along.
:James Hetfield [texting]: Yeah!
Pierce puts his phone down, a sweat on his face.
:Pierce: Alright, that's everyone I think. If I think of anyone else I'll contact them as I go along picking people up.
Pierce smiles.
:Pierce: This has to work.
:James Hetfield [texting]: You want me to book a performance there?
:Pierce: That'd be cool thank you
:James Hetfield [texting]: effin epic, bro!
Pierce pockets his phone, stepping inside the rocket.
:Pierce: Let's go to Satellite 15, dock in for a bit, then pick people up starting tomorrow.
:7:00 P.M. · SUNDAY October 9th, ZXE-233
:November Hotel Outskirts, Zeurth
Mallory and Valerie are shown walking around town, having taken a moment to clear their heads. Mallory still looked fairly shaken, but she was calmer than she was earlier and she was feasting off some cotton candy. Valerie was holding her hand gently, guiding her gracefully around town.
:Mallory: I think we should probably check in to a hotel Valerie, I feel really tired tonight.
:Valerie: If you want to!
Valerie smiled as she wrapped her supportive arms around Mallory, keeping her nice and close.
:Valerie: The others will be fine on the submarine.
:Mallory: I think I can believe your word on that.
:Valerie: Wouldn't lie to you Mal, I'm sure they can manage alone.
:Mallory: Alright, then they can manage alone. Well, with Zellen there, I guess anything could happen.
:Valerie: Okay touché, but I don't think she's gonna make the submarine sink or anything.
Valerie squeezes Mallory's hand very tightly.
:Valerie: If it helps, I can text Medea to keep an eye on everyone while we're gone.
:Mallory: That would be wonderful, thank you.
Valerie walks up the front steps of the November Hotel with Mallory, pushing open the big doors. Inside, they found a really empty, dark place. A chandelier dandled precariously above a desk, with one individual appearing be sitting behind it.
:Mallory: Oh.
:Valerie: This isn't really hotel-like, is it?
:Mallory: It doesn't look like it.
Mallory was already getting bad vibes from the hotel. The walls and floor were made from cold steel, there was hardly any light besides from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and their voices echoed inside.
:???: Well, don't just leave me hanging here, come on inside.
:Mallory: Should we, Val?
:Valerie: Uhh...
Valerie stares down the hallway.
:Valerie: How bad could it be? They say don't judge a book by its cover, right?
:Mallory: Yeah, I guess that's true.
Mallory gulped as she walked inside. Then, the tone took a sudden and immediate shift. The two metal doors slammed shut with a loud thud, throwing Mallory and Valerie to the cold floor from the impact. The chandelier flames grew dimmer and dimmer, making it rather difficult to see anywhere within the hotel. The entity behind the desk chuckled, almost darkly, as he heard the sounds of Mallory and Valerie hitting the floor.
:???: It's been a while since I've had any visitors. Welcome to the November Hotel.
:Valerie: Isn't it October, though?
:???: Every passing hour, day, week, month, and year in here, it is always November 4th.
:Mallory: The November Hotel?
Mallory then remembers... Max talked about his cousin having a place known by the November Hotel. Is this him? Then she notices, standing on high-rise steel pillars were layouts of dozens of skulls, all laid out in circles with huge flames standing up between them. Each of the skulls had a glass of ashes cut in through their tops. Mallory remembers that these were exhibited at the museum...
:Mallory: Oh right, your cousin Max told me about you!
:???: You've met my cousin Max? Ah, I pity you. He's rather dreadful.
The mysterious entity, not yet visible to Mallory's naked eye, leans back in his chair.
:???: This is a strange place that doesn't obey the rules of existence. This is a place called "My Hotel", and for as long as you're in it, it becomes "Your Hotel". All the floors here change to match your age, all the rooms contain the memories your heart finds most important, it is a strange place.
:Mallory: So would that be forty-four floors for me?
:???: If that is your age, then that is correct. [snickers] Listen up. The hotel's appearance takes on your mental state, what does the surroundings of your hotel look like to you?
:Mallory: An empty steel prison? That's... not really good-sounding.
:Valerie: Huh, I'm not actually seeing what Mallory's seeing then, in that case. The walls are painted with jungle imagery and lots of vines and lots of plants, it's a very dark place though.
:???: They say that if you find nirvana, then this hotel will cease to exist, and you will be free.
The unnamed figure taps his shadowy hands on the desk.
:???: However, if you cannot free your mind, you can never leave this place. I have damned myself to the point where all I can do is help people see a light they feel they cannot see.
:Valerie: Excuse me? We were just looking for a place to stay the night at!
:???: I must ask your names. I feel that is important right now.
:Mallory: My name is Mallory Zin, and this is my friend Valerie Heartgold.
:???: Oh, I've been waiting for a Mallory Zin for such a long time. See, I've had visitors from Satellite 15 waltz through here after finding my hotel contact information to seek "treatment" from abuse that's been suffered at the hands of Mallory Zin. Many could not handle the circumstances of their PTSD and committed suicide.
Mallory feels her skin jolt when she hears that. Really?
:???: See, the strange thing about Max is that I set him up. When he told me he was in contact with you, I told him to guide you here so I could deal with you myself. But he is very unreliable and failed to do this when I told him to do this five years ago, so it is lucky you just walked right in here.
:Mallory: What do you want from me?
:???: I am not here to hurt you. I want you to relive your worst memories, see where you've gone wrong, and judge whether or not you were in the right or wrong. When you've made your mind, come back to me.
:Valerie: Do I have to partake in this?
:???: No, Valerie. The feelings I sense within you may dissolve upon Mallory completing her trials.
The beast turns to Mallory.
:???: Mallory, please do not die. You do not want my fate.
:Mallory: I mean, I didn't plan on it.
:???: That's good. See, I'm not truly alive, so this place isn't alive for me either. It's burnt up and destroyed from my point of view, the walls all crumbled from how I took my life. It is a twenty-two story building, so maybe I took my life too soon, but I feel like it was well-deserved.
:Mallory: Why did you take your life!?
:???: I killed myself to escape my own grief, but it was a decision made too soon. I was never at peace upon death, so I remained in this world, a tormented ghoul that's doomed himself to even people's morality.
The entity sighs.
:???: I see your skin gleaming wonderfully under the sunlight! I wish I were any bit as wonderful-looking as you, but I look nothing like how I used to. My dirty curly hair, my most prized possession, has been long gone.
:Mallory: But what grief did you suffer?
:???: Hnnngg.
He sighs gently, pulling the hood on his head further over his still-hidden face.
:???: You may notice there are bloody crimson doors every now and then as you head up. They are hiding your harshest truths, your worst moments, things you'd rather keep buried. Things that you feel people would hate you forever for if they knew about them. Things you wish to keep under wraps.
:Mallory: I see.
:???: For me, most of them are on a pretty high-up floor. I was so reckless and foolish with myself, I've done things I shouldn't have done, and I've changed the lives of people forever for the worse. I messed up, to put it bluntly.
:Valerie: How?
:???: I can't talk about it, but just know it was a big mistake with serious consequences. Plenty of people were angry with me, or angry at people that were with me.
He shrugs.
:???: They eventually unveiled it all in front of everyone I know. I became an outcast in my society, nobody wanted to be with me anymore. I didn't deserve to be touched.
:Valerie: I see, did you learn from your mistakes and try to resolve tensions?
:???: I have. They only pretended to forgive me because they were afraid of me. Or they tried to very slowly tried to cut contact with me. Some friends stuck around for a long time, only to remove themselves from my life when they were convinced I was what the public consciousness made me out to be.
:Mallory: I'm sorry.
:???: Don't apologize, as far as I'm concerned I deserved my death. My removal of my filth on Zeurth's soil made me feel a little better about myself. That said, do not self-destruct like me. Do you want to be lonely and bored?
:Mallory: I won't do that, don't worry.
:???: Thank you. I made this hotel to help people rediscover their worst memories, so that the people that waltz in here can find peace with themselves and know who they really are.
:Mallory: Right. ...Pardon me, but what's your name?
:???: I don't have one. [shrugs] Okay, I certainly do, but I'd rather you not learn it. Not even Max knows what my name is anymore since I've told him to never speak of it ever again twenty-seven years ago.
:Mallory: Can I please give you some sort of name?
:Onyx: Will "Onyx" suffice? Don't mind me, I just think that sounds alright.
:Mallory: Onyx is fine, I just want to make things a bit easier on myself.
:Onyx: Ahh. Well.
:Mallory: So if I wanted to re-experience memories from my youth, I'd start from the bottom and move my way up to the top, right? And do I have to make my way up every single floor?
:Onyx: You would have to, yes. It will be a long climb if your claim that you're forty-four years old is true. Time stops when you're in there, so you will not starve or run out of energy once you're inside.
:Mallory: Right.
Mallory starts to move her way to a pair of elevator doors that slowly pop in view for her.
:Mallory: Heh, have you seen anyone else before?
:Onyx: Plenty. I've seen a handful of young folks who were attempting to discover what went wrong with their lives, and they guided themselves back to their past.
Onyx smiles.
:Onyx: It changed them forever, making them see old things in a new light. They were a little unnerved at first, but I've heard that they've moved on and are living happier lives. It turns out they just had really bad childhood experiences and didn't know how to untwist their stomach knots.
:Mallory: Well that gives a bit of hope in finding peace for myself.
:Onyx: It should. This experience will help you relive your old memories, make you see the truth about yourself, and then hopefully help you find nirvana in some form or another.
Onyx sits criss-cross as he looks at Mallory.
:Onyx: Good luck, okay? Come back here when you're done so I may determine if you've found nirvana.
Mallory nods as she takes the elevator now, starting to ride it up to the first floor.
:Valerie: Was I supposed to follow her?
:Onyx: No, you'll stay here until she's achieved nirvana. You'll be able to leave as soon as she clears the little bit of worry that still exists in your brain. It shouldn't take too long.
:Valerie: Alright, I think I can be patient enough for that.
:Onyx: Mm.
Mallory takes deep breaths as she heads up the elevator. It didn't really feel right be in that elevator, it didn't even feel like she was standing in a cage of cold steel. It's as if movement was being stimulated, like it wasn't real.
:Mallory: Alright, I guess I'm about to figure out what makes up me... [closes her eyes] God.
Mallory looks down at herself. Her bitter scars burn with a vengeance right now, with Onyx's words triggering nasty memories within herself. Knowing everything Silver's been doing to her lately - taking away civilians she's known for years, taking Altha as his own, hypnotizing Altha to hurt her, destroying her home - she was long reminiscing what awful things she had done to Silver and his friends. Mallory wasn't sure if she deserved the payback yet, whether it should be stronger or whether it shouldn't even have happened at all.
:Mallory: How come nobody's told me of this November Hotel place? Might not be particularly popular, I guess.
Mallory felt the elevator doors open. Ahead of her was a really long, dark prison-like hallway with a dozen or so steel bar doors, with a big "YEAR 0" engraved into the wall. Mallory swallowed as she slowly walked through the hallway, but this place was completely empty.
:Mallory: Figures, I guess infants don't really have many memories.
Mallory took a note how the steel walls on the left side were all red and the steel walls on the right side were all blue. Engraved respectively across the tops of those walls are "REGRETS" and "GOOD TIMES". So the hotel didn't just cover bad memories, but also hosted a number of good ones.
:Mallory: Ahh, alright. I think I get how this place works.
Mallory takes a staircase up to the next floor. Seeing as there's nothing really on the next floor, she heads up to the next one instead, which actually has an atmosphere going on in there. "YEAR 2" was engraved into the wall in the far back, and this hallway was decently longer than the last.
:Mallory: Is that... Blue Öyster Cult playing?
Mallory walked through the hallway, which was playing that band's classic "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll" as she strolled her way through. She looked to her left and right. Several of these cells were still empty, but a couple of cells were actually empty this time around. Mallory, curious, decided to step into one, only to feel the bars close behind herself.
:Mallory: Wha?
Suddenly, Mallory saw herself suddenly shrink. She rapidly grew younger and younger, until she was - fittingly - just two years old. Then Mallory felt herself get scooped up and thrown away as the landscape around her melted, melted, until she was inside a really dark temple with ancient Greece vibes.
:Mallory: ...?
Mallory saw her father there and then, who ran towards her and scooped her up, narrowly avoiding getting struck by an axe in the process. Mallory was in zero control of herself as her sinister, rather unpleasant-looking father was quick on his feet.
:Saliva: I swear on my grave, Morticia, I shall take this universe and conquer it like how I see fit!
:Morticia: Your days of conquering are over, Saliva Zin! I will take this universe out of your bare hands!
Saliva steps backwards as he avoids getting sliced through the neck by the skin of his teeth, with Morticia's slashes a little too close for his comfort. Mallory wasn't in control of herself, something she quickly realized as she bawled like a baby as a reaper-like figure chased her father around.
:Saliva: Don't cry, Mallory! Daddy's gonna give you the universe in hours' time!
:Morticia: There won't be anything left of you by the time I'm done cutting you through, Saliva!
:Saliva: It's too late, child! You see, the Dark Winter is already nearly done swallowing you all!
:Morticia: Let's take him out! He's scared and making himself look stronger than he is!
Saliva whimpered a little as he stepped back, falling backwards into a crater. That's when Mallory saw her brother Silver, an infant like her at the time, was in Saliva's other hand. As Morticia sliced at his back, Saliva was forced to kneel, sniffling and crying like a baby himself as seven strangely-dressed individuals surrounded him with Morticia, who stood tall and menacingly over him.
:Morticia: Your Zaxinian Empire ends here, Saliva. Your era of tyranny will be no more!
All seven of Morticia's friends raised their immensely powerful weapons high in the air, glistening them in pure white energy as Morticia wickedly grinned and pulled her scythe back.
:Morticia: We were waiting a long time for this! And with one swift strike, you and your children will cease to exist!
Saliva grunted as he raised his Mind Weaver to defend himself when Silver suddenly jumped out of Saliva's arms, tackling Mallory as they rolled across the ground together, out of sight. They rolled down this dark hill together, tumbling down it at high speeds.
:Morticia: Ehh?
:Saliva: Hah!
Morticia turned her attention to Saliva again, slicing through his wrists with a single slice. Then with another slice, she sliced through his ankles, pushing him by the chest to knock him to the floor.
:Morticia: Any last words?
:Saliva: This certainly won't be the last Zinfestation this universe has to deal with!
:Morticia: When we find those kids, I'll guarantee it'll be the last.
All seven of Morticia's allies casted a spell that trapped Saliva in a multi-colored crystal. Then, with another swift strike, Morticia slashed right through the crystal, shattering him into a million pieces.
:Morticia: And he'll never bother anyone again.
Silver and Mallory witnessed his death first-hand, horrified when they were suddenly scooped up.
:Spittle: Come on you two, we need to get out of here before they take us out.''
Spittle, their mother, ran as fast as she could. She grunted as she did, the rods in her back making it difficult for her to move really fast as she stuffed her babies into a space pod. As fast as she could, she took a seat in the front, driving it on a crash course for Zaxina as Morticia attempted to jump and slice through the space pod as it began to get driven away, but only to be just a little too slow.
:Morticia: Rats!
Spittle drives that space pod as fast as she can.
:Morticia: Ooh, that's a bummer. At least I know their mother isn't all that skilled, she certainly can't teach her children anything that'd make them half as threatening as Saliva. How about we go eat, girls?
Morticia's friends nod as she leads them away from the crash site, starting to drain the planet Kosmoxeth of its darkness. Spittle breathes hard as she dives her babies home as the memory ends, with Mallory falling asleep. Mallory then wakes up on the cell floor, her body returned to its present-day shape.
:Mallory: That was a trip.
Mallory gets up from the floor, dusting herself off.
:Mallory: But Silver just barely saved my life, what compelled him to do that?
Mallory closes her eyes to think about a little bit before getting up. A montage begins to play of a bunch of little scenes, showing many things that Mallory's witnessed during her time climbing the hotel of sheer terror:
:Mallory: What's in here?
Mallory finds herself turned into a six-year-old, appearing inside a dirty and desolate house, looking at her young brother Silver who was just five at the time. Maybe four? She couldn't recall. But what she found most surprising is that she couldn't control her own vocal cords, or even avoid pain she specifically felt during the time, like the snot that built up in the back of her throat as a child and made talking a pain:
:Mallory: Silver, I don't wanna follow mommy's words anymore.
:Silver: Mallory I don't wanna be in the iron maiden again.
:Mallory: Why don't we show her that we shouldn't listen to her?
Mallory finds herself being directed over to a closet, where she pulls out a big baseball bat with a big nail stuck through the end.
:Mallory: Make things go our way?
:Silver: Mallory...
:Mallory: C'mon, Silver! Aren't you tired of the way she treats us?
:Silver: Okay, but if you get in trouble I'm gonna blame you.
Mallory smiles almost sinisterly at her sibling- it's something that her modern mind cannot control, because these are behaviors she exhibited at the time and she is stuck reliving this memory.
:Mallory: Follow me.
Mallory goes down a hallway, past a couple of bedrooms meant for her and Silver, before reaching her mother, who was lurched over in a computer chair trying to report on her children's school curriculums.
:Spittle: Don't distract me, I'm busy! Do you want to go in the iron ma-- what are you doing?
Mallory felt a horrible tinge of guilt as she felt her 6-year-old self's muscles pull the bat back, then thrust it against Spittle's head. The nail pierced through her skin, making her scream horribly. Mallory dropped the bat out of surprise, but picked it up as she gained courage to push her mother to the floor.
:Mallory: If you want help, you better promise to throw away the iron maiden, or else!
:Spittle: T-This is about the iron maiden?
:Mallory: I'm tired of you treating us like crap!
Spittle took a deep breath, holding the side of her head.
:Spittle: O-Okay, please, I'll throw away the iron maiden, if you get in trouble, I'll just take away your electronics instead. Is that okay?
Spittle looked in Mallory's eyes. They looked full of vengeance-seeking malice.
:Mallory: Seems okay by me. Do it now!
As Spittle goes to throw away the iron maiden, Mallory widens her smile.
:Mallory: Asserting dominance and control will get us where we want, Silver! Think about it, we can make her do whatever because we can hide things she needs from her until she heeds our commands!
Silver looked at Mallory in wonder, a drop of blood emitting from the nail on her bat. Mallory then returned to the present day, taking a deep gasp.
:Mallory: Holy hell, I really did do that?
Mallory looked at her filthy hands.
:Mallory: That's... also the same bat I used on Cody, I must have used that a lot.
Mallory did indeed learn that she kept the bat as she progressed through her memories, learning that she used it to get her way with Spittle, and eventually with Silver too, who began to use it back against her. The nail on that bat was used so much it eventually became dull and unusable, meaning the nail would have to get turn out and replaced many times. It was their instrument of control, and something Spittle didn't know how to take away since at least one of her children slept with it and they always had it in the shower or in somewhere of good reach...
:Mallory: I guess I've somewhat forgotten how hard we were actually hitting each other with that.
The memories eventually turned to them living on the road, because they were injuring each other and Spittle so much that their mother spent too much money on healing equipment and safety measures to protect herself and her children from hurting each other further. Mallory writhed a couple of times to escape some really horrible experiences, where she learned that she and Silver dared each other to take their acts to new levels, and poor Spittle.
:Doctor: Your mother would like to speak to you, Silver and Mallory.
They both stepped into a room where Spittle looked like she was in terrible condition, bandaged all over, just barely holding on as she had trouble breathing.
:Spittle: FUCK YOU TWO AND YOUR RIDICULOUS EFFIN' ANTICS! YOU ALMOST KILLED ME! I COULD HAVE DIED AND YOU TWO DIDN'T CARE!
:Silver: As if I have a reason to care about how you feel, Spittle, considering the way you've treated us throughout our whole lives. You used iron maidens, electric chairs, so many things to put us down, you sicken me. I hope you die, you foul and horrible creature. You deserved everything you got.
:Spittle: You think it was so easy trying to mother you two by myself, huh? I didn't know what to do to make you two stay under control! They said I'm never going to walk normally ever again, and it's all your fault!
Spittle writhes as she tries to focus her eyes on her heartless children. Mallory, at least in the present day, felt a surge of guilt pass through her paper-thin skin.
:Spittle: Twenty-four years of violence, abuse, torture, enslavement, commands, blackmail, pain, effin' abortions, you two were mistakes that should have never been made! EVER!
Spittle writhes her shaking wrists.
:Spittle: If I could right now, I would strangle both of you. I gave you both life, and this is how you repay me?
:'Mallory : Maybe if you were anything like our father, none of this would have happened, Spittle.
:Spittle: DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE YOURSELVES TO YOUR FATHER!
Silver and Mallory were thrown back by her sudden roar in voice.
:Spittle: YOUR FATHER WAS A LOVELY MAN, A GREAT MAN, YOU TWO ARE FUCKING ABOMINATIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE!
Spittle breaks herself free of her supports, standing up on both legs as she uncharacteristically marches towards them, almost appearing to topple over as she corners them both.
:Spittle: I HOPE YOU BOTH, YOU BOTH DIE!
Spittle picks up a table, throwing it at both of them. Mallory suddenly wakes up, she must have passed out in that moment.
:Mallory: Oh.
Mallory felt tension rise in her body as she continued up the hotel, starting to stagger a little. They were thrown out of her house after that dreadful hospital encounter- Silver would soon enter his redemption arc after colliding with the outside of the satellite while Mallory would go somewhere remote and think about what had happened, wrongly believing Silver to be the cause of her issues. They had done so much treason that she couldn't figure out who started it, and assumed it to be SIlver.
:Mallory: Why was I like that...
Mallory deep breathes as she continues scaling the hotel. Everything seemed to get worse for her, the upper floors were painted with bloody red, carcasses of Silver's she dreamt lining up on the walls. Endless images of Mallory scratching through her skin as stress got to her were seen again by her, and she could still feel the scars from where she got under her own skin.
:Cody: I don't want to be rude, Mallory, but you've been making me really uncomfortable lately.
Cody was covered head to toe with blood, marks from where he was nailed in, and had his clothes all visibly ragged up. He coughed some blood up as he stared at her, looking weak in the knees.
:Mallory: You're not used to me, Cody, that's why. Silver let me use him how I wanted to use him, just like how I let him use me how he wanted to use me, so why won't you commit, Cody?
:Cody: W-WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?
:Mallory: STOP ASKING QUESTIONS, CODY!
Mallory growls threateningly at Cody, making him back off nervously.
:Cody: Alright, just can we please calm down and try to take things slowly. Please?
:Mallory: Do I look like I have the patience to take things slowly, Cody?
Cody winces.
:Cody: N... No. [breathes] Please!
Mallory sighs.
:Mallory: Return to your work station before I change my mind and go through with what I planned to do. I'm really disappointed in you Cody, I thought a friend would be willing to go through that level of commitment with me.
Mallory vomits in the real world after getting out of that one.
:Mallory: What the hell, I was a monster!
Mallory walks up higher and higher, witnessing sin after sin, sin after sin, until she doesn't remember where she's been. Mallory eventually reaches the end of the line.
:Mallory: I guess the question is, after everything I've witnessed, do I deserve another chance?
Mallory looks in the mirror, looking at herself. She sees her younger, six-year-old self in the mirror; where all her troubles began.
:Mallory: No. I was outright insufferable.
Mallory closes her eyes.
:Mallory: What I've learned today is that just because my mom went overboard with her punishments, I decided to try and take the family into my own hands through blackmail and deceit. And that sense of greed, that sense of wanting to feel in complete control, got the better of me. My greed destroyed my friendships, would have scarred my brother if he ever had a consistent memory of his past, and nearly killed my mother who wasn't really that deserving of her suffering.
Mallory sits down on the floor.
:Mallory: It took me a long time to understand what family and friends were really for. And, and it took an even longer time for me to realize how wrong it was of my father to want to rule the universe to begin with. And holding my sibling to expectations that were pretty much impossible, augh.
Mallory pounds the floor hard.
:Mallory: But that's not the person that represents me anymore, is it? I am raising three absolutely gorgeous children, mending things up, rebuilt an entire satellite, and stayed clean for the past ten years.
Mallory looks in the mirror.
:Mallory: You can't forget the past, but you can become a better person. I don't know if someone like me that's done as much damage as I have is really deserving of a second chance, but...
Mallory places her hands on the mirror.
:Mallory: I learnt from my mistakes, right? I have to be able to be forgiven now.
The mirror suddenly shatters. Suddenly, as if pulled by a really strong force, she is brought all the way back down to the ground, where she is slammed into the lobby. Valerie was outside the building now, or at least it seems so. Was this nirvana?
:Mallory: Huh!?
:Onyx: How was your trip, Mallory?
:Mallory: Uhhhh, I can't say it was a pleasant experience, but I think I've made my final judgment.
:Onyx: And that is...?
:Mallory: I think I'm deserving of my freedom, Onyx. I haven't hurt anyone in a straight decade, I am not the person I used to be, and I've tried to make amends with as many people as possible.
Onyx laughs.
:Onyx: Oh Mallory, I think you should know better than to think you're free now.
:Mallory: Huh?
:Onyx: Mallory, let me just tell you something. Do you really think that after all of that, even with all that hard work you've done to better yourself, that you are allowed to be forgiven? Scars don't die, Mallory!
: Mallory': If almost everyone else that I've talked to can forgive me and let me live my life as is right now, then yeah, I'm sure I'm allowed to be forgiven! I thought that's basic moral knowledge?
:Onyx: I don't think you're going to be leaving so soon, Mallory. Here's why.
Onyx pulls his swivel chair forward, sitting upright as he reaches for his hood. As he pulls it down, we see a visibly yellowing skeleton with most of his rotten flesh intact, bloodshot eyes boggling in the back of his skull as his bottom jaw shook and rumbled with the little shriek of laughter he did. His shaggy brown hair, his plain clothes, and his skin crawled with many small bugs and maggots, which squirmed and moves in and out of the enlarged pores on his skin. He looked sickly pale-yellow, a forced grin on his face.
:Onyx: Oh Mallory, you don't know how long I've been waiting for someone to finally come around here that's just as guilty and troubled as I am! Someone that understands me, someone that I can understand!
:Mallory: Wha...
:Onyx: Mallory, you don't know what I need more than anything right now. Just a bit of appreciation, a little bit of love, some understanding that I haven't seen in my lifetime.
:Mallory: Hey back off, I'm not looking for a relationship!
Onyx leaps from his swivel chair, his almost loose body kept together by what remained of his tormented soul.
:Onyx: You know how long I've been waiting, Mallory? So long! So long for someone of equal sin.
Onyx tearfully smiles as he landed squarely on his desk, swiping papers off of his desk.
:Onyx: Mallory! Neither of us are allowed to leave this hotel, we are too rotten to be allowed back into a world that doesn't appreciate us anymore! A world that won't like us connecting with its society!
:Mallory: I don't like this.
Mallory steps backwards as Onyx steps down to the floor, advancing towards Mallory as the strange skull decorations on the pillars have their flames rise higher and higher.
:Onyx: Please, Mallory!
Onyx was tearing up, falling to his knees and sobbing as he wraps around Mallory's legs. Mallory shakes him off, slapping off the maggots that crawl up her skin. Onyx punches the steel floor.
:Onyx: You will never be judged by me, Mallory! You can be as bad as you want here! You are already bad, so why should you quit being bad? You're rotten at the core, just like me!
:Mallory: I'm not that kind of person anymore! I'm not like you!
Mallory springs back as the flames continue to raise up, making an altar of flames around them. Mallory finds herself caged inside with Onyx, who breathes horribly and tries to stand up.
:Onyx: I thought a friend like you would be willing to commit to that level of sin with me! I want you to kill me, make me feel how you can't make anyone else feel! Shove a nail so hard through my head that you can take advantage of me while I'm down! I will do anything for your love!
:Mallory: I'M NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR SIN!
Onyx feverishly twitches as he tried to crawl for Mallory, but she kicked him away.
:Mallory: Leave me alone!
Onyx smiles.
:Onyx: Very well.
Onyx breathes heavily as he crawls backwards.
:Onyx: Then I'll have to make you sin, Mallory.
Onyx audibly snaps his neck, twisting his head around as he turns it into Altha's.
:Mallory: Uhh...
The Altha-like head discards the rest of Onyx's body for the body of an enormous black mamba, with the heads of Silver, Mallory, Saliva, Spittle, Cody, and Kispel lined across its sides like shields, complete with all of Mallory's teeth and even arms that match hers in size. She giggled sinisterly as she slithered over to Mallory, her horrifying body making the steel floor slimy as her eyes locked on Mallory's.
:Altha: Come on, Mallory? Don't you still love me?
:Mallory: This doesn't work on me, Onyx!
The huge Altha-mamba body hisses, huge spikes protruding from her back as disgusting intestine-like tentacles wormed their way across the floor, with the mamba picking up two baseball bats with nails driven through each.
:Mallory: I will not give in!
:Altha: Don't you love me in any shape or form, Mallory? Wouldn't you want to feel free to do whatever you wanted with Altha without silly morals getting in your path? The demon inside of me, wants some desperate attention.
Altha hangs her head as she grinds her bats together.
:Altha: Is that too much to ask, Mallory?
Mallory pulls out her Mind Weaver. This huge snake continues to grow stranger, with a long black tongue matching its victim's and starting to bear bits and pieces of Mallory's physique, including a chest.
:Mallory: I'm going to take you out!
Mallory gripped her weapon tightly.
:Mallory: I'm proving my worth once and for all!
:Altha: Hah, we'll see if there's any left!
Mallory rushes over to the disgusting beast, ready to give it a piece of her mind.
::
::
The Onyx Mamba falls to the ground, screaming horribly as it loses much of its color. Onyx is forced to resume his usual form after this "shell" crumbles up, making him sweat uncontrollably. Suddenly, Mallory felt starlight fall down upon her from above.
:Onyx: Heh, that was a trial.
Onyx coughs hard against the floor.
:Onyx: Wow, holy shit, you're kinda strong. Listen to me, Mallory.
Mallory raises her hand to object after everything she just went through, but he continues.
:Onyx: I was seeing if you would fall back into the same traps, stumble back down and think you really weren't worthy of progression or validation. No, you remained independent, strong, and showed considerable bravery and fierce determination. I'm very pleased by your progress.
:Mallory: So was that begging just an act?
:Onyx: Yes, I really don't think you're my type honestly. If you accepted, I probably would have accepted it out of surprise, but I was thinking you wouldn't because you seemed confident.
:Mallory: Well now I have no idea how to feel.
:Onyx: You found what you were supposed to. The masks on my neck didn't give you too much trauma to fight back, the bats were something you didn't pay much mind to, and wow, you were unfazed by it all.
:Mallory: What if I lost?
:Onyx: Then I would have deemed you too weak and tell you to try the trials all over again until you could get it right.
Onyx snickers a little as he shakily gets up.
:Onyx: You're free to go, Mallory.
:Mallory: Thanks.
Mallory leaves the building. As she does, it disintegrates behind her, because there is no need for her to see her hotel ever again. That part of her life is over and done with.
:Valerie: That was fast! Thank god you're alright, though!
Valerie hugs Mallory really tightly, who smiles as she returns it.
:Valerie: I... hmm, I wasn't expecting that place to not be a real hotel, hah. Sorry.
:Mallory: Heh, it's no issue. How about we go sleep under a tree or something? I could really do with a little peace and quiet after going through as much hell as I have tonight.
:Valerie: Yeah, you still want to tackle Silver tomorrow?
:Mallory: Definitely. But tonight I'm going to do one more thing.
Mallory looks to her side.
:Mallory: I'm going to call my mom.
===Chapter Seven: Mother's Spinning in Her Grave===
:4:03 A.M. · MONDAY October 10th, ZXE-233
:November Hotel Outskirts, Zeurth
Mallory woke up underneath a big tree. She was, thankfully, still in one piece since Silver hadn't gone looking out for her, and Valerie was still cuddled up with her.
:Mallory: Morning.
Valerie opened her eyes slowly.
:Valerie: Morning, Mallory. What time is it...?
:Mallory: It's about four in the morning, but I'm having a lot of trouble trying to sleep. Give me a bit, I'm going to call my mother and I'll return to finish my nap.
:Valerie: Okay, I'll remain here, try not to go too far away, alright?
:Mallory: I won't.
Mallory smiles at Valerie a little bit as she gets up, pulling out her phone. Mallory was admittedly a little nervous, since she hadn't talked to her mother in a long time, and she learned only yesterday just how much damage she had done to her.
:Mallory: I'm a little nervous...
:Valerie: Well, how bad could it be? You haven't talked to each other in decades, maybe she'd be willing to put aside her memories of you for a meaningful talk.
:Mallory: Yeah, I guess you're right in that I really have nothing to lose. [looks at her phone] I just want to make sure she's okay. I don't like what I remembered.
:Valerie: Considering everything you told me before we went to sleep, I understand how you feel completely. Listen, just take deep breaths and try to sound, genuine. Like yourself.
:Mallory: Alright.
Mallory takes deep breaths, walking away from Valerie as she closes her eyes and counts to three.
:Mallory: One, two, three...
Mallory starts to dial her mother's number.
:Valerie: If you need someone to lean on after the call, I'm here. Try not to let anything she says distract you from the fact that you've gotten better, are living a considerably better life, and do genuinely care about her wellbeing as well as everyone else's.
:Mallory: Thank you.
Mallory gulps as she hesitates to press the call button. She walks away from Valerie, sitting herself on a trash can. It's been a couple of decades since they last spoke, with the last time being at their house right as they were preparing to move out.
:Mallory [flashback]: We'll meet again, Spittle. Both you and Silver will eventually become my prisoners when I start to continue my father's reign.
:Spittle [flashback]: I don't care what you say to me. Don't ever come back, even if you were to somehow gain the reins to your father's full potential. After everything you've done, it would be best if I never saw your faces again.
Spittle spits on her daughter.
:Spittle [flashback]: You make me very angry. Leave now, before my head explodes.
:Mallory [flashback]: I will. Eff you for everything you are!
Spittle hissed at her as Mallory ran off, leaving her mother for good.
:Mallory: I'm nothing like what I promised my mother I would be. God, I wish I never infected Silver the way I did, because I remember a particular comment.
:Cody [flashback]: They implied that Silver was always the worse child of you two. They never found out who started it, but they know that Silver gradually become worse and extra controlling.
Mallory nods to herself.
:Mallory: Silver did eventually take enough control to make the house his own, but I know in my heart that I started it. [takes a deep breath] Okay, enough reminiscing. Let's do this.
Mallory hits the call button and lifts the phone up to her ear. She just waits on Spittle to respond.
:Spittle [voice]: Hello? W... Who is this?
:Mallory: Mom... [sighs a little] I can't believe you're still alive.
:Spittle [voice]: M-Mallory, is that you? What do you want from me?
:Mallory: Nothing, mom. I have no demands, no requests, no blackmail. I've... I've been acknowledging for the longest time that I messed up.
:Spittle [voice]: You sure have.
:Mallory: I know.
Mallory gently breathes.
:Mallory: Sorry just isn't going to cut it, isn't it?
Spittle was seen sitting down in a lonely rocking chair, curiously listening in on the phone. She was slowly knitting, most of her body still bandaged and bruised from the violence she suffered decades ago.
:Mallory: I got a full glimpse of the person I used to be, the person Silver used to be, and just how horrible we were not just to you, but to ourselves and anyone that knew during that time.
Mallory starts to choke on her tears.
:Mallory: I hate remembering the things I've done to you! To Silver! To myself.
:Spittle [voice]: I'm still listening, take your time.
:Mallory: I wasted my whole life being dysfunctional. I don't know why I'm still here, still breathing, knowing how much wrong I've done. I've hurt my family, my friends, my lovers, destroyed a whole satellite.
Mallory took a moment for her throat to recover, so choked up that it hurt to speak.
:Mallory: Just being able to recognize everything I've ever done, fully internalize everything that's happened, made me realize how unworthy I was of bearing the Zin family name. [tears up] Mother, I don't know why we made you suffer.
Mallory looks down.
:Mallory: What have I become? What have I done?
:Spittle [voice]: Mallory...
Spittle was starting to choke up a little.
:Spittle: My little girl, you sound more grown up than you've ever been, are you okay?
:Mallory: Mother, I know you don't really love me or care, I know what I've done to you. [grits her teeth] Every single thing I've ever done to you, I remember...
:Spittle [voice]: Mallory, I'm... I'm so shocked. I really thought you and Silver were just evil incarnate and that you had no souls, you were always demons ready to haunt me to the grave.
:Mallory: I'm... I'm so sorry mom.
Mallory sobs hard into the phone, choking on her tears.
:Mallory: I don't know what came over me, I don't know why I did that to you! The only excuse I ever had was that you were too harsh with your punishments, but the answer surely wasn't to beat you senseless until you couldn't move on your own anymore.
Mallory grips her phone tightly, gently crushing the plastic inwards a little.
:Mallory: I'm a waste...
:Spittle: My sweet girl, I had no idea that your soul was tormented or tortured as it was. You have my deepest pities, sweetheart. I'm so sorry that you're finally realizing the depth of your mistakes, decades after it all happened.
Spittle sniffles hard, placing down her knitting tools.
:Spittle: Mallory...
:Mallory: Don't give me pity that I don't deserve!
Mallory feels tears roll down her swollen cheeks.
:Mallory: I destroyed everything! I ruined it all! You and Silver saved my life at two separate occasions within the very same five minutes, and you know how I repay you? Through abuse!
:Spittle: Mallory, you don't understand! I'm not angry at you anymore! I still hurt really horribly from what you've done to me, but god, I don't want to be angry at you anymore! You are hurting just like me, only emotionally, and god, that's enough.
Spittle breathes gently.
:Spittle: Honey, please, please tell me what's happened. Start from the beginning.
:Mallory: Soon after I gave you a really fucking rude last goodbye, I internalized everything and decided that I wanted to kill or at least capture Silver so I could feel peace, thinking that he was the one that started that whole chain of events. Then I remembered that it was me! ...After already installing plans to blow up the satellite the very same day I discovered my grave mistake! Words cannot describe how horrible I would've felt if I murdered Silver and only just realized that I was chasing him for something he in honesty didn't start.
Mallory gasps.
:Mallory: B... But things turned better after Satellite 15 blew up. I took the initiative to help rebuild it, I am currently raising three beautiful children, and I feel that I am no longer corrupted with any sin. I'm calling you now because I learned how undeserving you were of my wrath and, my regrets run so deep, why did I...
:Spittle [voice]: If you've made those improvements, then please don't hold anything against yourself. You're not the same person. You sound much more like a child your father would be proud to raise.
:Mallory: T-Thank you, but I don't know if I can trust your word because I'm s-so bad at letting people forgive me. I still think I should have seen immediate execution!
:Spittle [voice]: Honey. Let's calm down, where's Silver?
:Mallory: He was good for a couple of years, but then he disappeared for almost a whole decade when he sacrificed himself to save me and is now back thinking he should've killed me when he had the chance. I don't have a home, I don't have anything anymore because he took everything I had away from me! Besides my children.
Spittle tore up into her palms as she slowly grabbed her Mind Weaver.
:Spittle [voice]: Mallory, you sound so beautiful. God, you used to sound so ugly and needy, but your voice is so mellow and pleasant now. Reminiscent of my own.
:Mallory: Mother, just, can you just be honest with me?
:Spittle [voice]: Yeah...?
:Mallory: After hearing all of that, after this phone call... do you forgive me?
Spittle closes her eyes.
:Spittle [voice]: Mallory, I know that your heart is heavy with guilt and treason. I can sense it through listening to the way you're speaking, the raw but genuine emotion in your voice. You acknowledge exactly what you've done wrong and admit it to me, which is easily the most mature thing I've seen you do in your entire life.
Mallory kept her breath steady, her hand wobbling as she held the phone tightly.
:Spittle [voice]: It's hard for me to say this, because you have given me so much hell. But knowing that you aren't faking anything to me, being direct...
Spittle takes a small moment.
:Spittle [voice]: I'm not sure if I'm ready to give you an answer yet. Please, let me have time to myself so I can figure out how I feel about your question. Okay?
:Mallory: I'd be okay with that.
:Spittle [voice]: Thank you. I'm not angry with you for asking if you're forgiven, but that's a can of worms I'm not ready to open yet. I won't be long.
Spittle hangs up on her daughter. Spittle gently gets out of her rocking chair, grabbing her crutches and pushing herself up. She began to weakly drag herself down the same hallway she's been traveling back and forth in for years upon years, moving herself to her bedroom.
:Spittle: If there's anything my children have forgotten, it's how they spent much more of their lives having fun and doing good things than doing terrible, cruel things. Yes, the baseball bat with the nail was frightening, but I still have good memories.
Spittle pushes open the wall of her bedroom, which works like sliding doors. We see a bunch of portraits of Silver and Mallory in their youth, several family photos, and some leftovers of times long behind them. Spittle sighs as she sits herself down in a swivel chair, gently using her crutches to push it forward.
:Spittle: The honest reason why I was open to talking to Mallory is because I knew that, somewhere in their teenager years, they had become overwhelmed by their inner demons. They spent about fifteen years with me in a normal family before things got really aggressive and out of hand as they grew more rebellious and hideous with age.
Spittle gently rolled herself by her gallery of portraits. We see Silver and Mallory being homeschooled, both of them listening to a record player together, both having a pizza party on Mallory's 10th birthday, Silver playing baseball for a Zaxina team, and Mallory putting out her hair after she accidentally lit it aflame with magic.
:Spittle: They were never perfect children, something that became obvious with age, but I feel like they genuinely forgot that besides a couple dozen or so isolated incidents that we lived a fairly normal family. It's just that suddenly those incidents became less spaced apart and became part of our daily lives, as Silver became so controlling and dominating over the two of us. But who do I blame?
Spittle grumbles as she points at herself.
:Spittle: Raising children alone is so difficult, but I know I could have done better than iron maidens and electric chairs. I should have given them foster care, but the only reason why I never did was because of one note from Silver that made me think I shouldn't.
Spittle grabs a piece of paper that was taped to the shelf of photos. It was a drawing Silver made in the first grade, showing a crudely drawn Spittle hanging out with her two children, with "I love you mom" crudely drawn into the paper.
:Spittle: I thought these two children would be much more than they became, but they became too much for me. Maybe they could have seen great futures if I decided to move them elsewhere, but no, I kept them selfishly under my wing and I paid the price.
Spittle grabs a portrait. It was her daughter Mallory smiling as Spittle braided her hair.
:Spittle: Maybe Mallory and Silver could have been better controlled, but it was my fault. I was a terrible mother. My anger was something I should have kept in better control.
Spittle rubbed a nail against the cheek of her seven-year-old Mallory, trying to feel a time she couldn't feel anymore, a time that was during her prime.
:Spittle: I should have cared more for my children. I was abandoned at birth, so I had to pretty much fend for myself, my children shouldn't have seen such behavior from me.
Spittle frowns as she places everything back the way it was before, shutting the slider doors.
:Spittle: I think... I think I know what to say to Mallory now.
Spittle sighs as she gets up again, using her crutches to help her climb the bed. She gently rolls herself across it, starting to dial Mallory's number. Mallory quickly picks up.
:Mallory [voice]: Mom, you there?
:Spittle: Yeah, I'm here now, Mallory. [sighs gently] I've given it some thought.
Mallory felt her stomach twist and churn.
:Spittle: And I feel like I'm responsible for the insanely shitty childhoods you two had to suffer through. The anger and confusion I felt from being abandoned by my parents as a child contributed a lot to my social behavior, and it ended up affecting how I treated both of you. Of course, you two are at fault for plenty of things, but I deserve a lot of shit for the way I raised you both and for not being more careful as a single parent.
Spittle sniffs.
:Spittle: If you can forgive me, I will forgive you. No more of this petty grudge stuff, Mallory. It is time we both moved on from our mistakes and see each other as we are now.
:Mallory [voice]: I forgive you, mom.
:Spittle: Then...
Spittle grabs her Mind Weaver from her pocket, forming a portal midair. Grabbing her crutches, she steps through it and approaches her daughter directly. Spittle feels her heart beat rapidly as she sees the tear-soaked eyes of her devilish daughter, someone that was going through a great deal of emotional pain, something she could clearly see for herself now.
:Spittle: I forgive you, Mallory.
Mallory bursts into further tears as she races up to her mother, clenching her gently in a big hug. Mallory sobs hard into her neck, making Spittle reach for her daughter's horns and rub them gently. She looks down at Mallory.
:Spittle: Mallory, if you need somewhere to stay, then I will let you stay at my place for the time being. All I ask is to be treated with respect and I will treat you just the same.
:Mallory: T-Thank you.
:Spittle: No, Mallory. Thank you.
Spittle kisses her daughter's cheeks and smiles at her, trying to bring Mallory to smile back. But her daughter continues to cling to her body, bawling her eyes out.
:Spittle: Honey, it's over.
:Mallory: I just want this nightmare to end!
:Spittle: It'll be over soon...
Spittle rubs Mallory's cheeks as she grabs her crutches again.
:Spittle: Come, Mallory. We should get some proper rest together.
:Mallory: ...Is it alright if I invite my friend Valerie inside?
:Spittle: My philosophy is that if they're a friend of yours, they're a friend of mine, as long as you are a friend of mine in the first place. So yes, they are welcome.
Spittle moves back into her portal.
:Mallory: Valerie! It all worked out!
Valerie jolts and gets up.
:Valerie: Congratulations!! I knew you could do it!
Valerie rushes over to kiss Mallory's cheek, making Spittle smile in the middle of her process of heading back home.
:Mallory: Yeah, uh, she's letting me stay at her place! She says you can come along.
:Valerie: Oh that's really nice of her, thank god I don't have to sleep in the grass anymore. Let's go!
Mallory and Valerie follow Spittle in, who takes the bed. Valerie almost whistled because Spittle, although she was using crutches, looked rather beautiful. At least to her.
:Spittle: Come, let's use the same mattress, snuggle up, and just have the nicest time you can.
:Mallory: Thank you. I don't know how to express my gratitude enough, mom.
Mallory looks down.
:Mallory: Although, I have to leave soon. Within a matter of hours, I plan on showing up wherever Silver is to capture him and make him pay for his recent crimes. But I can get a nice, six or eight hours in.
:Spittle: That would be very good for you, Mallory. Lay down.
Mallory nods as she lays down next to her mother, who supportively wrapped around her as Valerie did the same to her from behind.
:Valerie: I'm Valerie Heartgold by the way, I used to be mayor of Satellite 15, I've been accompanying Mallory for a while as we've been hunting down where her brother's at.
:Spittle: Good on you, but please make sure you get your rest too. I know Silver is a very strong boy, maybe the strongest I know. You need a lot of energy to take him down.
:Valerie: Oh I will, this mattress is really cozy.
Mallory kisses her mother's neck.
:Mallory: I love you mom, I know things have been kind of crazy this early in the morning, but just know that I would like to start this whole relationship over. I need someone like you more than ever, and it's time I show that you really are worth being my mother.
:Spittle: I'd be willing to do that for you. And for me, too.
Spittle switches off the lights.
:Spittle: Good night, have sweet dreams my daughter.
Mallory drifts herself off to sleep rather easily, caught between the arms of a wonderful new close friend and her very own mother.
:Mallory [whispering]: I can't believe it.
Mallory felt a tear roll down her cheek.
:Mallory [whispering]: I-I mended it...
:8:44 A.M. · MONDAY October 10th, ZXE-233
:Pierce's Sub-S15, Zeurth
Meanwhile, somewhere out overseas, Pierce was driving a fairly large submarine through the waters of Zeurth, seeking out the trench that he learned Silver was in.
:Pierce: Alright, everyone, we'll be checking on my old friend in hours' time! I just have to wait for a different friend of mine to give the signal, then we'll march right in there and give him the surprise he needs. Sounds good?
The zooms out, showing that Pierce has managed to rope at least three-hundred people into his little scheme. Many people you might be familiar with from Zinfestation that haven't shown up yet are here in the flesh.
:Munira: Where's the damn bathrooms in this place?
:Pierce: For the eleventh time, Munira, they're all the way in the back.
:Munira: Oh, sorry!
Pierce sighs.
:Pierce: Sorry for this little anti-climax, but it'll definitely be a while before we can get the party started. You just need to be as patient as you can possibly be.
:Azrail: I'm just glad that you had a really nice plan to hook us up together, the submarine is actually big enough to feel like you have enough room, even with a couple of hundred other people inside sharing the same space as you.
:Pierce: It wasn't easy getting ahold of everyone, but I appreciate that I've gotten as many people as you. I'm really happy that certain people came along for this little surprise party, because I think they'll be pretty helpful for different reasons.
Pierce parks the submarine down on the ocean floor.
:Thanatos: I certainly feel excited to do just as you ask, Pierce! Ooh, I've been waiting to get all hands-on, my chap!
:Agantuk: I'm pretty interested in seeing what you inquire of my services.
:Minute: I've loaded my pockets up with sugar, so in case you need me Pierce, I'll be able to rewind time pretty easily! ...Not sure if you'll actually need that, but hey.
:Medea: You know me baby, I'm ready when the time comes!
Pierce smiles and folds his arms. Oh, you're wondering how Medea, Zellen, Junkhead, and Thanatos got into the bigger submarine? Pierce's Sub-S15 ship, courtesy of Penny, literally has metal jaws that can "eat" smaller submarines and harbor them.
:Vizole: It was a pleasure helping Penny install the big pincers to swallow up your tiny sub. Though I must ask, my dear Pierce, who are these adorable little ones?
Milo, Finn, and Beau were looking through the glass window of the submarine together.
:Pierce: Alright, I'll admit something, part of the surprise includes Mallory. These are her children and she entrusted me to take care of them. Sooner or later she's going to help haul our guest in.
:Agantuk: Hold up, you've been in communications with Mallory?
:Pierce: Yeah, don't worry though, she's not going to hurt anyone.
:Scotch: I sure hope not.
Zonas takes a good look at them.
:Zonas: They really are adorable, though.
Pierce looks at them, frowning a little.
:Pierce: They're a little bit worried right now since they haven't seen their mother in a while, but their worries will be eased later when the time comes to place our actions in motion.
:Azrail: You sure you don't want to drop the ball on who the guest is? I'm a little concerned that we're trusting Mallory of all people to haul them in.
:Pierce: I think it'd be easier if I just surprised you all, so that the way you guys react can be good for, y'know, surprising him too! Trust me, it'd be better to keep his identity secret.
Pierce sighs as he turns his attention to the ship's wheel, but only to remind everyone he's at the ship's wheel.
:Pierce: Feel free to do whatever you want while you're waiting. I've set up Wi-Fi and everything and everyone has a stall including a suspended mattress and a personal shower and toilet. You should all be good to go to do whatever. Feel free to stay out here and take any of our free snacks, though!
Some people walk over to the kitchen in the middle of the dining area, which had the promised cupcakes in a huge bin in the middle. Arikan and Abraham looked proud of those cupcakes, and damn it, they should be because they look nothing short of delicious.
:Pierce: And also, Metallica has booked a performance at 10:00PM, which is scheduled to take place after we learn the identity of the old friend!
James Hetfield gives Pierce a big thumbs up, grinning. Yep, it's just James Hetfield. He wasn't even animated, just Photoshopped.
:Pierce: Alright, any further questions or inquiries?
:Mania: Where's Valerie? I just think it's kind of strange she hasn't shown up here at all.
:Pierce: Oh she's off somewhere else for the moment, but I'm sure you'll see her when the time becomes appropriate!
:Crymsia: Sure hope that dumbass biiitch comes here before I make her come 'ere!
:Azrail: Now now, honey.
Azrail shakes his wife a little bit before hugging her tightly.
:Azrail: Be a bit calmer, now!
:Crymsia: Fiiiine. [purrs] But only for you, darrlinggg.
:Smartie: If yer old friend turns out ter be a dipwad or sumfin' can I eat 'em up?
:Pierce: I suppose I won't put that out of the question.
:Smartie: Dat's some good effin' news right dere! Kinda hope he's a dipwad 'cuz I'm firsty fer blud mutherfecker n' I'ma vant as much as I possibly effin' can.
:Devina: Where's our children, Pierce?
:Black Eyes: I ate 'em!
Black Eyes falls to his knees dramatically.
:Black Eyes: I ate them all!
:Pierce: They're actually in the back being supervised by Reten.
Reten holds a gun up to a kid holding a gun.
:Reten: Drop the gun motherzoinker!
Pierce laughs to himself.
:Pierce: Yeah, they're going to be fine.
:Black Eyes: Man, I wanted everyone to think I legitimately ate their kids. That would've been epic!
:Pierce: Your jokes are about as good as your drumming skills, Black Eyes. Trust me, I'd know.
:Black Eyes: You sing like an early 1990's heroin addict! Oh wait, that's kinda your style!
:James Hetfield: James Hetfield of the Metallica family™️ firmly believes that any Metallica venue should be generally argument-free, so let me end this debate. That Vic Rattlehead-lookin' guy drums even worse than my own drummer, Lars Ulrich!
:Pierce: Eh, I'd still say Black Eyes is worse.
:Black Eyes: These jokes are unwarranted!
Black Eyes curls up in a fetal position on the floor.
:Hector: Hey boss, you gonna open a strip club in here tonight?
:Pierce: I wasn't planning on it, and you're probably not going to get it.
:Hector: Aww.
:Agantuk: You gonna do us dirty like that, Pierce?
:Scotch: At least open a gym or something, I really don't wanna miss leg day.
Pierce sighs. He knew he was going to be here a while.
:Pierce: Fine.
As Pierce goes out of his way to help set up a gym, the screen cuts to black.
:2:20 P.M. · MONDAY October 10th, ZXE-233
:Distant City, Zeurth
Mallory and Valerie were suddenly on the run, running as fast as they can across a number of treetops. They were being chased by Nu Blade and Motörmouth, who were rushing after them at lightning speeds wearing futuristic cybernetic gear, which gave them wings and jetpacks.
:Nu Blade: With this new fancy gear that Silver supplied us with through maybe a bit of stealing, you can't escape us this time!
:Motörmouth: I don't need beer anymore, I am beer! I am Motörmouth!
They actually were REALLY fast this time around, making it difficult for Mallory and Valerie to keep on the run. And this time, Nu Blade and Motörmouth were equipped with huge explosives that they were planning to set off around the town...!
:Nu Blade: Give up, Mallory!
:Mallory: You think I'm going to give up, after so long?
:Valerie: Yeah, you're not going to break us down, either of you!
Mallory suddenly slows down, looking down at the ground from high up.
:Mallory: I'd like to see you chase us out of here!
:Motörmouth: What're you gonna do motherzoinker when you learn we've planted big bombs everywhere in this city, eh? What're you gonna do about the big bombs?
Mallory grumbles.
:Valerie: You two are always getting in someone's way, aren't you? Mallory, I'm going to go defuse the explosives before they go off, but while I'm doing that, I need you to try and fight these losers off!
:Mallory: Got it, Valerie!
:Valerie: Good luck!
:Nu Blade: I'd like to see you try to escape our devious little plot, Valerie!
Nu Blade throws a bomb at Valerie's feet, which immediately explodes and sends Valerie flying.
:Mallory: Valerie!
Valerie made quick thinking and used the steel board that got blown off the top of the building she was JUST standing on to hopefully make a board-first landing...
:Valerie: I've got itttttt!
::
::
Meanwhile, with all the explosives properly defused, the focus shifts to Mallory, who's been dodging shots from Nu Blade and Motörmouth.
:Mallory: I really don't have all day, you two! How about you stop messing around and actually give me a taste of your fists so I can have something to complain about!
:Nu Blade: If you insist, Mallory!
:Motörmouth: No mercy from us this time, Mallory!
Mallory starts to run the other way, knowing Valerie's already done her part to destroy all the bombs, now taking a big run away from these two big troublemakers.
:Nu Blade: Hey wait, I thought you were going to fight us, coward!
:Mallory: I'm not about to give you the advantage on high ground!
Nu Blade growls as she starts to chase Mallory down closer to the ground, with Motörmouth absentmindedly following suit as they chase her down.
:Mallory: We'll see who's going down now!
::
::
Eventually, Mallory reaches a plaza with an infinity symbol embedded into the gravel floor. She turns around to face Nu Blade and Motörmouth, who've caught up by now.
:Nu Blade: Alright, I suppose we can finally take you out with all the bombs we've planted around town!
Nu Blade slams her fist down on the button. But when she realizes nothing happens, she taps it over and over again, trying to make it actually work.
:Nu Blade: Eh??
Valerie skids back with her steel board, having a big shit-eating grin as she looks at Nu Blade.
:Valerie: Guess you could say your plan went boom while you weren't looking!
:Nu Blade: Have we really been incompetent this whole time?
:Motörmouth: Uh, yeah, I'd say so.
:Mallory: The fact that Motörmouth of all people can acknowledge you two are nothing more than thoughtless killing machines is incredible.
Mallory draws out her Mind Weaver. They both looked at each other - they were a little afraid!
:Mallory: I'll have at you now!
::
::
Mallory, with seemingly little effort this time around, pushes Motörmouth against the floor. A stunned, dizzy Nu Blade gets pushed down by Valerie, rendering both of them unable to continue fighting.
:Mallory: You've destroyed my home, you've hurt my friends, you've done nothing but mean trouble. Thanks to you, I don't have a place of residence anymore.
:Valerie: I think Mallory and I both know what we're gonna have to do now, and we probably should have done it in the first place. Nu Blade's criminal record is massive.
:Mallory: Any last words?
:Motörmouth: If there's beer in hell, I think I'm going to be okay.
:Mallory: Wow, really? Good riddance then.
Mallory sets the tipper of her Mind Weaver aflame, shoving it through Motörmouth's chest and killing him near instantly. She then kicked him into a burning field that he set up with Nu Blade.
:Valerie: How about you, Nu Blade?
:Nu Blade: No matter who you kill, you are still killing a human being with a functioning brain. I think you should reconsider this act of unholy justice.
:Valerie: Like I should listen from the woman that's killed several dozen bodies by now.
Valerie throws a butcher knife over to Mallory, who catches it by the handle.
:Valerie: You finish her off, she's your enemy.
Mallory doesn't hesitate. Just like Motörmouth, Nu Blade dies too immediately upon her heart getting impaled through with Mallory's weapon. Mallory then swings the blade around to send Nu Blade's corpse off into the flames.
:Mallory: I have a strong feeling I'm going to need a strong over-the-counter medication when I see Silver tonight, because good god we're already off to a great start.
:Valerie: Sarcastically?
:Mallory: Yeah, but I guess it is a great start for real though, since those bastards aren't going to bother us again. Good luck to Silver if he goes on a search for them.
Mallory then realized something.
:Mallory: Oh right, we were about to go get lunch when those morons showed up.
:Valerie: Right, so the plan was we were going to go get lunch, then wait until we think we're ready to go take on Silver, and then tell Pierce to set up.
:Mallory: Sounds good to me.
:Valerie: Alright. Let's go! Burger Queen?
:Mallory: Burger Queen. Gotta have it my way.
Valerie gently takes ahold of Mallory's hand as they start to walk off for lunch.
:5:08 P.M. · MONDAY October 10th, ZXE-233
:Northern Great Trench, Zeurth
Altha was soaking completely wet, covered head-to-toe in shark bites and being hardly able to breathe. Silver was gently rolling her over on the floor.
:Silver: You're going to live. If I wasn't there you were probably going to die.
Silver looks into her eyes.
:Silver: I know you're not in a really great position to talk right now, but I'd be willing to just talk to you to give you, mmm, light company.
Altha looked up at Silver. She looked like she was in really bad shape.
:Silver: I'd like to give you a proper apology, first of all. I've been behaving very irrationally since I've laid my eyes on Mallory again and I've let my actions and words hurt more people than just her. You weren't deserving of any of my shit.
Altha nods gently. She really wasn't the type to hold grudges, at least not strong ones.
:Silver: I'm going to let you go as soon as I know it'd be safe to let you go again.
:Altha: How, how did you come to, think you were over, overreacting a little?
:Silver: The Dream Weaver chewed me out for being an asshole and somewhat neglecting my original mission, and I saw that I wasn't exactly practicing what I preached when he slapped some sense into me.
Silver clenches his fists.
:Silver: I thought I was better than that. This laser-focused hatred I have against Mallory has clearly gone a bit too out of hand, I don't really know what to say other than I feel a lot of personal self-disgust from what happened.
:Altha: You... [wheezes] Probably should.
:Silver: Yeah, I know.
Silver sighs as he paces back and forth.
:Silver: There's something missing inside of me and I don't know what it is. Something feels empty about me right now and it's really getting on my nerves.
:Dream Weaver: It could probably be the fact that you don't seem to remember much about your past beyond Mallory and your family relations. Trust me, you had great love lives.
:Silver: Maybe I did. I don't know.
Silver looks at him.
:Silver: But even if I were to see them again, would they accept these changes I've taken on if they can't refill the bullet hole Mallory left inside my heart?
The Dream Weaver becomes silence as he tries to come up with a response.
:Silver: Am I wrong? Have I run too far to get home?
:Dream Weaver: Honestly, probably not. You've left them disturbed multiple times, then again, Mallory seems to be enjoying redemption and she blew up a whole frickin' satellite, so I don't know who makes the rules for what's acceptable and what isn't around here.
:Silver: Ughh, when will this end?
:Dream Weaver: Eventually.
:Silver: AUuuuuUUGHHH!
Silver slams his fist against the wall in frustration. He then sighs, looking at the imprint he left on the wall. His years of inner turmoil and built-up frustration have given him a bit of muscle he didn't even realize until just now.
:Silver: God, if my sacrifice didn't mess up, I wouldn't be here being like this!
:Dream Weaver: Why don't you call it quits on the whole operation, Silver?
:Silver: That wouldn't be right, as I've explained to you several times now.
:Dream Weaver: I don't know about you, but I still remain really, really opposed to your plan. Look, Mallory has changed, that's what you wanted out of her in the first place a whole decade ago, and you now want to kill her for someone she's not anymore.
He folds his arms dramatically.
:Dream Weaver: What's your point?
:Silver: I reanalyzed everything she's ever done, everything from day one to the very end, after I made that really foolish choice. I should have taken the space pod out instead.
:Dream Weaver: I thought what you did was a really selfless act that proved just how much you've changed and grown. You're taking a step backwards, at least to me, by wanting to take it back.
:Silver: God just, I don't know what I want, okay? I just want to be at peace!
:Dream Weaver: Fine, I'll leave you alone. But know that Mallory will be coming very soon, and that you have very limited time to change your mind.
:Silver: It's whatever, really.
Silver turns to Altha.
:Silver: Do you need anything from me? I'm going to get myself some lunch.
:Altha: The octopus waiters actually taste delicious grilled.
:Silver: Yeah see, I can dig that.
As Silver climbs up to the next floor to start lunch, we see Mallory staring down at the trench through a portal from above, with Valerie and Junkhead and Spittle all in diving suits. Pierce's submarine was drifting close to Silver's trench, too, sitting right on top of it with a drill embedded on the front. It's almost time.
:Mallory: Wake up, Silver. The promised time has come.
===Chapter Eight: Wake Up===
:5:20 P.M. · MONDAY October 10th, ZXE-233
:Northern Great Trench, Zeurth
As soon as Mallory leaps from the portal and dives underwater, the story transitions from Chapter 7 to Chapter 8. We are now at the final stretch of the story, nearing the final battle.
:Mallory: My coordinates were a little off, so we're a little far away from the trench, but we'll be okay if we swim for as long as we possibly can. We're so close.
Mallory looks back at Valerie, Junkhead, and Spittle, who have jumped in after her.
:Mallory: I'm really nervous, though. I don't know how this is all going to pan out.
:Spittle: Sweetheart, it's okay to be nervous.
Spittle does the thumbs up.
:Spittle: Look, fighting people you love is always difficult. It was tough to act tough and stand up to you and Silver all those years ago. But if he has been causing grief, then your task is a necessity.
:Valerie: Don't give up Mallory, you've come so far since we've met again a few days ago.
Valerie breathes through her diver's mask.
:Valerie: I think I've told you everything I could, but I'm just gonna say this: don't turn back!
:Mallory: Yeah, I just have to keep going.
Mallory starts to swim down to the floor, landing on the underground soil of this unknown ocean as she stares at the vast amount of ground to cover before her.
:Mallory: Thank you three for everything you've done for me lately.
Mallory smiles a little.
:Mallory: Especially you, mom. It really meant a lot to feel like I have a parent to look up to again.
Mallory hugs her mother tightly, who returned the hug with a very tight grip.
:Spittle: Thank you for calling me, it really meant a lot to me. If you can change Silver's ways, we can spend around six hundred years together as a loving family.
:Mallory: No guarantees, but I'm going to try. Even if he has to break my heart.
:Valerie: That's the spirit, Mallory.
:Junkhead: We should probably get goin' before we use too much effin' oxygen from these things! Let's get a move on, if we need to talk we'll air pockets or somethin'!
:Valerie: Junkie's right, let's move ahead before we have a new dilemma on our hands.
Mallory nods.
:Mallory: Let's go.
::
::
Mallory breathes hard as she escapes into a little underwater cavern, which has a pocket full of air inside of it. Mallory climbs up as her mother and two of her former nemeses rise out of the water, starting to refill their oxygen tanks.
:Mallory: Alright, we're really close to Silver's place now, I just wanted to take a quick stop to let you guys refill your air tanks. When you're ready, tell me and we'll continue forth again.
:Valerie: Thank you, because god that was a longer trek than I was expecting.
Valerie takes off her diver helmet, taking deep breaths as a number of other divers start to pop up out of the water. Much to Valerie's surprise, they were followed by Pierce, Medea, Zellen, Agantuk, Minute, Thanatos, and all three of Mallory's children!
:Valerie: Oh, this is a surprise!
:Pierce: Hey, we saw you guys swimming over to this little air pocket and I figured it'd be a good time to introduce these guys to our plan and the strategy we're going to take to complete it.
:Agantuk: Ah, Mallory, it has been a long time.
Agantuk walks over to Mallory, shaking her hand.
:Agantuk: I'm Agantuk in case you've forgotten.
:Mallory: I don't think we've ever met, actually, but it is pleasant to know you personally now.
:Minute: Mallory, you look and sound much better these days. Huh, guess Pierce was right.
:Mallory: Right about what?
:Minute: Right about you having changed. People will probably talk your ear off about that later, by the way, so when you come to Pierce's ship later just beware of that.
Mallory nods as her children start running to her after harassing "Aunt Valerie" for a straight minute.
:Milo: Mommy!!
:Finn: We're happy to see you!!
Both of them hug their mom around the knees as Beau attempts to climb Mallory's right leg. Mallory laughs as she picks them up, holding them all dear and close to her.
:Spittle: Oh, are these your children?
:Mallory: Yesss!
:Spittle: They're so cute! If you keep raising them well, I'd like to have them visit sometime, I've got a really killer cookie recipe and I might as well have a second chance at parenting!
:Mallory: You know... how'd you have the energy to swim all the way here with us?
:Spittle: It was mostly motivation.
Spittle laughs as she takes Beau out of Mallory's hands, looking into his wonderful innocent eyes.
:Spittle: I used my crutches to help me drift through the water faster, too.
:Thanatos: Oh, Mallory, my feeble mind had almost forgotten!
Thanatos snickers as he drops a couple of bottles of strange purple fluids into Mallory's hand.
:Thanatos: These are some nice numbing poisons! You can use 'em on Sil-- I mean, the muffin man we are soon to encounter down in the trench!
:Mallory: Thank you, I'll be sure to keep them in mind.
:Minute: We're going to follow you inside the cavern so we can help out if we need to. I don't know who's in there, but Pierce alerted me that you need to calm the beast first.
:Pierce: Speaking of the beast! It's Silver Zin.
Everyone goes dead silent for a second. More than half of them already knew that, but Agantuk and Minute and for some reason Thanatos all flinch with surprise.
:Thanatos: Drat, why did I avoid saying his name then? Cursed fortune!
:Minute: Wait, I thought Silver was dead?
:Pierce: I thought so too, for a whole decade. But it turns out, some kind of freak accident happened and he lived through all the turmoil. Now he's angry and lonely, and doesn't seem to recognize anything anymore beyond his past with Mallory and his hatred for her.
:Minute: Incredible, there's no way he should have lived through that.
:Pierce: Yeah, right? I don't know he did either.
:Agantuk: Hmmm, so he's got a bad temper right now?
:Valerie: Considering he broke all of his lovers' backs and didn't appear to give a shit about that at all, yeah, I'd say he's got a bad temper right now.
:Agantuk: I might have to chip in, then.
:Medea: I'd rather if you didn't chip in, Agantuk.
Medea takes a break from having Zellen eat chips from her fingers to look at Agantuk in the eyes.
:Medea: I really don't think it would awake pleasant memories in Silver if you were to try to talk to him, because you were kind of the reason why he began falling apart in the first place.
:Agantuk: I mean, it's not like I was trying to hurt him, I was just trying to give him closure since he was so curious about his past a decade back.
:Medea: I know, I'm just saying that maybe you shouldn't give him therapy. In fact, maybe Pierce should probably start explaining his plan so there's no more confusion.
:Pierce: Okay, so the plan is for Mallory to weaken Silver to the point where he can no longer reliably fight back, and then have me, Medea, and Zellen go in to give him the therapy he needs. He can't fight us if we have him down. Minute will help reverse anything bad from happening and Agantuk will try to recount everything he knows so we can give him complete closure to the events that started all this crap.
:Medea: Sounds good.
:Junkhead: Effin' doable sounding.
:Pierce: Thanatos will supply, or has already supplied, Mallory with potions that will numb Silver's body on contact or at least weaken him to a point where he becomes vulnerable.
:Thanatos: I can confirm I've already done it, good chap!
:Pierce: Good. As for Junkhead and the kids, Junkhead, I need you to guide them back to the submarine, it's too dangerous to have them in a place where Silver can easily reach them.
:Junkhead: Aye-aye, captain!
:Pierce: Give your mother one last hug for now, kids. You'll see her hopefully a couple hours from now!
Spittle smiles as she stops covering Beau's face in kisses, giving the rather happy child back to Mallory who embraces him tightly. She squeezes Milo and Finn closely one more time before setting them all down.
:Pierce: Now then! Who's ready to move?
:Medea: Honey, where's Rogue?
:Pierce: He's at a... Limp Bizkit concert, I dropped him back off at our satellite after Mallory lost her house, and he's been indulging in his bad tastes since.
:Medea: Typical.
:Mallory: Alright, see you later my children! Take good care of each other and stay out of trouble.
:Milo: We will, mom!
:Finn: We love you!
Mallory smiles as Junkhead picks all three of them up, pulling on his diver's mask before swimming after the submarine. Thanatos does the same, considering his job is done.
:Mallory: Are we ready?
:Pierce: Are you?
:Mallory: I'm ready.
:Pierce: Then yes we are.
Mallory dives back underwater, with Silver's lovers, Spittle, Minute, and Agantuk all following her through to Silver's cavern. Soon will be the moment that can make or break everything.
:Valerie: Here goes nothing.
:6:29 P.M. · MONDAY October 10th, ZXE-233
:Silver's Cave, Zeurth
Mallory gasps as she pops up inside of Silver's cavern, gripping the edge of the hole leading her inside. She's followed immediately by everyone she's met up with less than an hour ago, minus Junkhead who was taking her children back.
:Mallory: Well... [gulps] We're here.
:Valerie: I was waiting a long while for this moment.
Valerie takes deep breaths.
:Valerie: Well, you've had the pep talk. You can do this, Mallory, this is the point where you can't or at least shouldn't turn back.
Valerie gives Mallory a tight supportive hug.
:Valerie: We'll be right here if you need help, alright?
:Mallory: Thank you Val, I appreciate it.
:Spittle: Do whatever it takes, Mallory.
:Minute: Who's this broad?
:Mallory: That would be our mother, Minute.
Spittle shoots a death glare at Minute, her blank eyes flashing at him.
:Minute: Oh, apologies! Didn't know.
Minute laughs, his cheeks red with embarrassment.
:Minute: Anyway, good luck, Mallory! I'll come if you call.
:Agantuk: Best of luck, don't let Silver's words get to you.
:Mallory: Thank you. Before I go, though, I have one thing I need to do first.
Mallory turns the left corner inside Silver's cavern, seeing the Dream Weaver tied up to the wall with his magical brush locked separately from him. He struggled in his chains when he saw Mallory.
:Dream Weaver: Oh, Mallory! Guess you've finally come at last.
:Mallory: Yeah, I meant to come here sooner but I got held up by a number of things.
Mallory breaks the Dream Weaver's chains, setting him free.
:Dream Weaver: Oh, thank you! But what'd you do that for?
:Mallory: I know that Silver was using you, if he really trusted you and had you on his side then you wouldn't be locked up like this. At least I would hope that wouldn't be the case.
:Dream Weaver: Heh...
The Dream Weaver sinisterly smiles.
:Dream Weaver: Well, you clearly made the right choice.
The Dream Weaver grabs his brush, looking at Mallory.
:Dream Weaver: Very well, since you've released me, I'll gift you with something that you might very well appreciate. You know who I am, right Mallory?
:Mallory: The Dream Weaver, I remember since you helped me invade Silver's dreams before.
:Dream Weaver: You are correct, ma'am! So since you set me free, I'm going to help you get insight to Silver's feelings and his inner turmoil. He won't be honest, so we have to look at him from the inside.
:Mallory: You'd be willing to do that for me?
:Dream Weaver: Why wouldn't I?
Mallory shrugs.
:Mallory: I don't know, it's just that you were helping him do these bad things in the first place.
:Dream Weaver: See, I came to help Silver deal with his emotions since he was going through such strong, heavy emotions. But he woke up too soon and captured me before I could make him see light.
The Dream Weaver hangs his head low.
:Dream Weaver: I've tried to help him, but he was very aggressive about his goals and dismissed anything I had to say to him. He is a far cry from the person that he used to be, Mallory.
:Mallory: Yeah, I can see that really clearly in him now.
:Dream Weaver: So what do you say, Mallory?
:Mallory: Yeah, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check out what he's thinking in his sleep. But before we do that, I'd like to check up on Altha if she's still here.
:Dream Weaver: She's in another room. Try to be soft to her, if you can.
:Mallory: Aight. I'll come back when I'm ready, okay?
:Dream Weaver: Don't take too long, I don't know when Silver will wake up.
:Mallory: Yeah, got it.
Mallory walks away from the Mind Weaver, walking inside the only doorway there was and seeing Altha laying still on the floor, her whole body covered head-to-toe in shark bites and scars.
:Altha: M... Mallory?
:Mallory: Hey, I wanted to very quickly check in on you before I go ahead and take down Silver.
Mallory walks to Altha's side, kneeling down.
:Mallory: What happened, Altha? Why do you look so hurt?
:Altha: I t-tried to escape this place, M-Mallory. Must've been feeding hour for the sh-
Altha coughs violently into her elbow.
:Altha: For the sharks, I mean. Silver barely saved me from death and laid me out here to heal.
:Mallory: God, I'm sorry.
:Altha: It's alright, he's been trying to get better I guess, just g-god this place has been a scary experience for me.
Altha looks up at Mallory's eyes.
:Altha: I'm so sorry for what you saw, Mallory. I promise I wasn't trying to cheat on you or anything, it was a situation that was completely out of my control... I... I don't know what to even say.
Mallory gently holds her hand.
:Mallory: I know it was a circumstance that was out of your control, Altha. It broke my heart, but I knew that you didn't mean it. That's not something you would do.
:Altha: I guess I was just not good enough at fighting Silver's control.
Altha holds Mallory's hand.
:Altha: I promise that it'll never happen again, please, I don't want to lose you to this.
:Mallory: We won't break up over this, Altha. I knew something was wrong as soon as I noticed you said you didn't recognize Beau. Things can only go up from here.
Mallory interlocks her fingers with Altha's.
:Mallory: Come on, it's not a big deal. Let's get you back up on your feet.
:Altha: I'm hurting.
:Mallory: I know someone that won't make you hurt anymore.
Mallory smiles as she picks up Altha's body, slinging her over her shoulder. She gently walks back to Valerie and others, gently laying Altha down in front of Medea, who instinctively takes out her working kit.
:Medea: Eesh.
:Mallory: Give her the healing she deserves, please. It's a bunch of shark bites.
:Medea: Alright, this should be pretty easy.
Altha didn't look very keen on the healing as soon as she noticed she was around Pierce, Medea and Zellen, but obliged as she laid down as low as she could.
:Medea: You can go, Mallory. Thank you for looking out for her.
:Mallory: Of course.
Mallory walks over to the Dream Weaver.
:Dream Weaver: Are you ready, Mallory?
:Mallory: As ready as I'll ever be, haha.
:Dream Weaver: Terrific news, Mallory. Let's go.
The Dream Weaver closes his eyes, forming a dream bubble above himself. He helps throw Mallory up through it, having her come out the other end with a crash landing. The Dream Weaver rematerializes inside of Silver's dream, gently grabbing Mallory's hand.
:Dream Weaver: This is what I was meant to do, but couldn't before because of him making it difficult.
:Mallory: Oh.
Mallory looks around herself. She sees a really black world, Silver sitting up in the middle of a shiny marble floor with his knees to his face, surrounded by a big barbed fence. This fence is being clawed at by dozens of feral Mallory-shaped creatures as the fence was shown getting very slowly peeled down.
:Silver: Leave me alone, leave me alone, leave me alone, I just want to be happy again.
Silver had a deep hole that went clear through his chest and many filled bags of "MEANING" were laid out across the floor. But however much he tried to grab one of the soil-dripping bags, they were held tantalizingly out of his reach. He couldn't uncurl, as a really ugly demon was keeping his body in this position. Wickedly long teeth, astonishingly long claws, a completely bony appearance, zero private parts, and a complete lack of symmetry.
:Silver: I just.
Silver attempted to uncurl, but the demon kept him held still as much as it could get away with.
:Demon: You don't deserve meaning. No touch. Nothing.
:Silver: Where has my heart gone, demon?
:Demon: You made the hole, not me.
The demon gently closes his fingers together, placing them through the hole in Silver's chest and expanding them.
:Demon: And the hole won't be filled. Your death will be appreciated by everyone.
:Silver: S-Stop it.
:Demon: Stop what? You did this to yourself.
:Silver: I-I don't like this!
:Demon: I used to feel such incredible moments of bliss, you did too. I don't remember what made that bliss happen anymore because you've dedicated your life to just one task. You threw it all away, Silver.
The demon reaches his fingers outside of Silver's chest, grabbing his skin from the other end.
:Demon: This one road you've given yourself means nothing. All the damage she could have possibly ever done was already done, and never repeated again. You are no hero.
The demon stretches out his hole.
:Demon: YOU'VE MADE YOURSELF NOTHING!
Mallory watched in horror as Silver struggled in his inner demon's grip. The fence was starting to lean down further and further as Silver shook and began to softly cry.
:Mallory: What, What's going on here?
:Dream Weaver: Silver has entered a loop that he doesn't know how to break out of. His desire to hunt you down, something that has lasted with him for a long time, has become his one goal. Everything about him besides his laser hatred for you has been erased. And since you've improved.
The Dream Weaver watches the demon keep Silver pinned in his on-the-floor position.
:Dream Weaver: He has no meaning. He is fighting for a lost cause and is trying to keep himself together. Last night he was apologizing to Altha and seemed to have lost his anger somewhere along the way.
:Demon: Your compromises don't work on me, Silver!
Silver watches as the demon smacks away the drink he was just offered.
:Demon: Your drinks bore me!
Silver watches the alcohol glass shatter on the floor. Before Mallory's eyes, hundreds of alcohol bottles popped over the floor, stacking up and starting to surround around Silver's knees.
:Demon: No matter how you attempt to appease yourself, it doesn't work!
Silver watches as many men and women, mostly incubi and succubi, laid on the floor around him. All of them were in stone, lacked tongues, lacked torsos, lacked thighs, and even lacked eyes.
:Demon: Your inner psyche isn't pleased with this, Silver! Where is the love? Where is the love that you have kept hidden from me for so long? Where is the love that can fill our hearts together again?
The demon is shown to lack a heart too, empty just like Silver's. Then you see that the demon is shaped fairly like Silver himself, bearing several of his features, just looking so ugly you could hardly see the resemblance.
:Demon: WHERE IS IT?
:Silver: I don't know, I don't know! Stop yelling at me! I'm trying so hard to please!
:Demon: THEN YOU AREN'T TRYING HARD ENOUGH!
The demon growls angrily as Silver watches some of the Mallory-like feral creatures break the fence down, starting to walk towards him and surround him, foaming at the lips with a desire to kill.
:Demon: They can smell your fear, Silver. They've come here to eat you again, chew you through until you can find something that can finally appease your appetite for meaning.
The demon releases Silver.
:Demon: Have fun, Silver! Another day wasted!
The Mallory wolves seize Silver, making him scream horribly as they tear him from limb to limb, his body popping and cracking as they each seize a part of him and start to devour him. Silver, however, does not die there in his sleep, forced to watch the wolves tear off his flesh, chew and rip through his muscle, and crush his organs between their teeth.
:Demon: Don't worry, Silver, your heart is locked in an isolated cage. This cycle will all repeat tomorrow!
Mallory turns away as soon as she sees one of the wolves chew up Silver's brain, cough it up, then lap the brain chunks off the floor. She was getting too repulsed to keep watching.
:Mallory: What the fuck?
:Dream Weaver: I remember that Silver used to dream that he was in a sandy, desert-like world. But over time, his body sunk so so low into a deep depression that he's winded up down here.
:Mallory: What did I come here for again??
:Dream Weaver: We came here to get insight to Silver's actions. They appear to be strictly out of a desire to have meaning, to be able to feel, only for everything to fall on its face from Silver's aggression.
:Mallory: God, what have I done?
:Dream Weaver: Don't blame this on yourself, Mallory. Your brother did this to himself.
:Mallory: Why did he change his mind about me, though?? Why did he decide to hunt me?
:Dream Weaver: He likely regretted his quick thinking to believe you were really redeemable. As far as he knows, you probably killed dozens of people after he sent you off to the ship all his friends were on.
The Dream Weaver sighs.
:Dream Weaver: That's not the truth of course, but because he miraculously remained alive and had a lot more time to think about it, and yet had no way to verify whether or not you were actually improving or not, he decided that you weren't worthy of redemption and went after your blood.
:Mallory: So wait, is this the truth or are you just speculating?
:Dream Weaver: It's speculation if I'm being honest, but I can't be far off from the truth. And if I'm wrong, then he's really confused and lost the plot somewhere along the way.
:Mallory: I wish I really knew what happened.
The Dream Weaver nods. Eventually he too has to turn his head after seeing the wolves pick flesh off of Silver's skull like vultures.
:Mallory: What's up with that demon?
:Dream Weaver: It's his psyche. He's screaming at himself.
The Dream Weaver forms a rift outside of Silver's dream.
:Dream Weaver: He's angry at himself since he cannot please himself or do anything to fix himself, and probably feels little motivation to do so because he is alone. Even with me and Altha there, he felt alone.
:Mallory: Oh.
:Dream Weaver: I feel like he's going to awake up soon. I'm going to leave you to return to my day-to-day job, but good luck against Silver alright? He won't be easy to take down, I'm sure.
:Mallory: I'll try.
:Dream Weaver: Don't be afraid to punch him if you need to.
The Dream Weaver forms a portal for himself to escape through, leaving Mallory to jump through the other one.
:Dream Weaver: So long, sucker...
Silver wakes up with a start as Mallory made a thud near him, quickly getting back up on her feet.
:Silver: Trying to ambush me while I'm down, Mallory?
:Mallory: You don't want to know where I've been, Silver.
Silver crushes the beer bottle he held in his hand.
:Silver: I-I guess I can finally do what I've been meaning to do for years.
Silver gets up from the table he was sleeping on, toppling it over in the process. Emptied beer bottles smash against the floor, painkiller pills rolleout over the ground, and heroin hammers drop to the floor. Smoked cigarettes, half-full whiskey bottles, and emptied taki bags fall down with them.
:Mallory: What the hell happened to you, Silver?
:Silver: Why do you care, Mallory?
Silver takes a second to stand up on both legs, both of them wobbling as he tried to face his sister. He was caught in an embarrassing situation and he really didn't like it.
:Silver: Stop lying to me, I know you killed everyone I knew and loved!
:Mallory: What?
:Silver: It was foolish and naïve of me to believe that you improved in the timespan of less than a full fuckin' hour! How am I supposed to believe that you didn't just kill everyone I knew and loved?
:Mallory: That never happened, Silver! Don't you recognize Valerie, Junkie, or really any of your lovers?
Mallory looks at him deep in the eyes.
:Mallory: They're still alive! And they're all worried sick for you because you don't recognize anyone but me!
:Silver: Maybe I would recognize them if I wasn't so focused on my desire to destroy you.
Silver pulls out his Mind Weaver, almost tripping over an absinthe glass bottle.
:Silver: Look at me, Mallory. You know that you deserved to die, and that should have been what I decided for you. Even if you're right, god, fuck, SHUT UP!
Silver points the Mind Weaver forward.
:Silver: NERVE SPLITTER!
Mallory quickly jumps out of the way, watching the wall behind her crumble as water begins to pour into the arena. Silver looked particularly angry about that as he felt the sea water reach his feet.
:Silver: Why don't you just die already? You were the reason why our family fell apart, why our mother no longer loves us! You destroyed the satellite on top of it all.
:Mallory: Have you forgotten the wrongs you've done, too?
:Silver: I will never forget how I became worse than you, Mallory. But if you didn't ignite those fires, we wouldn't be going through this at all! You gave me courage to be bad.
Silver points his Mind Weaver at her.
:Silver: NERVE SPLITTER!
Mallory carefully avoids getting hit by this attack, watching him make another hole in the wall.
:Mallory: Still, do you think I meant to? I was six, god damn it!
:Silver: I was five!
:Mallory: You know, I might have been the one that started blackmailing my mom and hurting her, but do you remember who began using pendulums and magic to make our mother do literally anything you wanted? You know who dressed up as our father to blackmail our mom further?
Mallory charges up her Mind Weaver, grunting.
:Mallory: We both know that was you, Silver! Why must you act like I'm responsible for everything, or even most of everything, when you contributed just as horribly to our family?
:Silver: Because you were the one who continued doing all that destruction on the satellite!
:Mallory: The only reason why you stopped anything you were doing was because you lost your memory, Silver! You got amnesia! That was the only reason why you stopped!
Mallory points her weapon at him.
:Mallory: If you hadn't gotten amnesia, you would have continued being an awful person! Who knows Silver, you were becoming so horrible that we would have become... become... I don't dare to say it!
:Silver: God, you're... that is a little right, huh.
:Mallory: NERVE CHOPPER!
Mallory knocks Silver against the wall, making his back smack against the wall as he breaks through his table. He gets back up quickly, although needed a moment to regain his balance as he began to bleed internally.
:Silver: Still, you can't deny I have a reason to kill you.
:Mallory: I don't want to kill you, Silver. I want you to stop being petty and remember what a great life you used to lead! Things don't have to be this awful!
:Silver: Yeah, a great life I used to lead.
Silver grunts as he points his Mind Weaver at Mallory again.
:Silver: Nerve... NERVE SPLITTER!
Mallory once again moves out of the way, with Silver making a third hole in the wall as water begins to floor in considerably quicker. Valerie directs everyone onto higher ground away from Silver and Mallory's confrontation. Silver breathed hard as he saw all his "cures" swarm around him in the water.
:Silver: Please let me just do this...
Silver trudges through the water, trying to grab Mallory only for him to splash into the water. Silver suddenly gets up, pinning a shocked Mallory down as he tries to hold her head under the water.
:Silver: Die! Fucking die for everything you've done to me!
Mallory doesn't relent, rising herself back up as she knocks her sibling to the floor.
:Mallory: Why won't you see what I mean when I say that this is pointless! I really have gotten better, I've left pretty much everyone else alive, why can't you just believe me?
:Silver: Because I don't want to believe I wasted a complete ten years of my existence!
:Mallory: Out of almost seven-hundred?
:Silver: FUCK OFF!
Silver pulls out his Mind Weaver, holding it high.
:Silver: This time for real, good riddance, FUCK YOU!
Mallory holds her Mind Weaver as she stands up tall. Here it is. The final battle.
::
::
Silver drops to his knees, his face tear-stricken as his body is covered in bloody wounds. He howls in utter pain as he can't get up, his whole body shaking as his blood starts to color the waves rushing in.
:Mallory: You're finished, Silver.
Mallory shackles Silver's ankles together, preventing him from moving as she shackles his wrists together too. Mallory looks down at his face.
:Silver [muttering]: I've failed, I've failed, I've failed everything again.
:Mallory: Silver, if you were successful, it would have been a really petty murder. Please, let me help you.
:Silver: No, please don't touch me. I'm done, I don't want to do anything, be anything, or see anything.
:Mallory: Like it or not Silver, you can't live like this. Let go of your weapon.
Mallory attempts to yank it from him, only to have her eyes dilate in shock as she sees the tipper glow.
:Silver: N-Nerve Boil.
Mallory screams almost ferally as a purple beam hits her square in her chest. All her veins begin to expand rapidly, like with air, before violently popping open. Mallory screamed in terrible pain as her body became a bloody, saggy mess in front of Silver.
:Mallory: What the FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?
Mallory, very quickly thinking, pulls out bottles of poison and carelessly throws them at his sibling, numbing him down as she starts to lose her form. She hisses really loudly before her body becomes limp and dead.
:Silver: That didn't help. That didn't help...
Silver looks at Mallory's dead body, which was still popping as we speak. The blood inside of her was bubbling out, popping like bubbles because of Silver's deadly spell.
:Silver: No, damn it, I can't move...!
Silver is forced to drop his Mind Weaver, which gets washed away from him. He is forced to watch her body decompose forever before him, his eyes forced to stare into her emptied ones as he slowly thirsts to death.
:Silver: Even after all of that, everything I've gone through to make this happen.
Silver feels a wild shiver pass through him.
:Silver: This was a bad choice.
Silver looks at his sister's body again. Then it clicked with him. He had been so stubborn, so ruthless, so outright rude that he didn't process the truth like he should have. That rage inside of him was gone. All he had now was the dead body of someone that didn't deserve to die, as he realized moments too late.
:Silver: I can't even... end myself like I was supposed to.
Silver tries to break out of his shackles, only to realize he couldn't. They were much too heavy.
:Silver: No no no no no!
:Demon [within]: Guess nothing you can do can make me happy now, Silver. Die unfulfilled.
Silver watched Mallory intensely for signs of life. There were none. Nerve Boil was so intense that it completely mangled Mallory's body beyond the point of return. No medicine or surgery can fix her.
:Silver: God, why... why did I do it, why? WHY DID I DO THIS?
Silver starts to tear up and cry his heart out, powerfully wailing as his heart grew heavier and heavier with guilt and sin. He didn't know how to process anything right now, his vision became a blur.
:Silver: WHY DID I THINK THIS WAS THE ANSWER??
Silver attempted to take deep breaths to calm himself down, but he could not. He kept choking on his tears, sobbing really hard as he wailed and threw his shackled fists against the ground.
:Silver: MALLORY, PLEASE WAKE UP! WAKE UP! PLEASE!
Silver trudges his shackled body over to Mallory, fighting the rough waves and his numbness to get to her. He looked visibly shaken as he attempts to give Mallory CPR. It didn't work, obviously. Silver screams as he rubs at her head, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. She wasn't getting up.
:Silver: MALLORY!
Silver feels tears well up in his eyes again, dripping them over his sister's failed heart.
:Silver: I-I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS, I CAN'T! PLEASE NO!
Silver feels his throat hurt as he shakes Mallory's body.
:Silver: I CAN'T... I CAN'T... HELP ME SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME! PIERCE WHERE ARE YOU? HELP ME PIERCE I'M HAVING A NIGHTMARE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO WAKE UP!
Silver bawled over his sister's chest as everything blurred and twisted for him.
:Silver: Oh god help me, oh please god help me, please Mallory wake up.
Silver eventually succumbs to his numbness, lying by his sister's body as he bawls into her neck, wrapping around her as he feels a torrent of tears rain from his face.
:Silver: WAKE UP PLEASE! YOU CAN'T BE DEAD PLEASE YOU CAN'T BE DEAD!
Silver held her closely.
:Silver: Someone help me... please...
But nobody came.
:Silver: In the end, I was the naïve one...
Suddenly, Silver watches Mallory's body glow a golden hue. Her body starts to come back together in Silver's arms, aging back to the point right before Silver killed her as he continues to sob into her neck.
:Silver: You're dead, I'm so sorry, I don't know what I was thinking... I'm a monster.
Silver suddenly finds a pair of arms wrapping around him.
:Mallory: Silver, it's okay.
:Silver: M-MALLORY?
Silver sobs really hard into her neck, tightening his hug around her as he squeezes her.
:Silver: M-MALLORY I'M SO FUCKING SORRY I'M...
Mallory cups his mouth.
:Mallory: Silver, it's okay.
Minute was standing from a distance, having reversed the age of Mallory's body just very slightly to reverse the horrible death that Silver gave her. Everyone else began to walk over to Silver - particularly Valerie, Spittle, Minute, Agantuk, Pierce, Medea, Zellen, and Altha. Silver was still sobbing hard into Mallory's neck.
:Pierce: Silver, do you know who I am?
:Silver: P-PPIERCE!
Silver quickly stands up, pulling Mallory's body up as he hugs her and Pierce really tightly. Medea, Zellen, and the rest join the hug, giving Silver a tight squeeze.
:Pierce: Hey, you remember now!
:Agantuk: What did it for you, Silver?
:Silver: Just...
Silver swallows.
:Silver: It reminded me of something that will still haunt me forever.
A flashback is shown of Silver witnessing Cody's dead body, right before his last big confrontation with Mallory.
:Silver: I lost a great friend who used my weapon to kill himself. Seeing Mallory's body twisted on the floor, her mouth shaped in the shape of an O, completely motionless reminded me of how Cody died.
:Pierce: God honey, I'm just so glad to have you back!
Pierce punches him in the nose, making it bleed a little.
:Pierce: That's for breaking my back though.
:Silver: Hah, sorry.
:Medea: It is so good to see you again Silvie.
:Zellen: I was so worried we wouldn't be able to see you again, like, the same we have before.
Zellen smiles.
:Zellen: Those fears are a little silly to me now.
:Mallory: I'm just glad that this is all over with. [takes a deep breath] Thank god.
Silver hugs his lovers very tightly as Valerie squeezes a hug in.
:Agantuk: Congratulations you two in finally resolving your sibling rivalry. Or whatever that was.
:Silver: Thank you.
Spittle steps between all the others, getting a good luck at her son.
:Silver: M-Mother? What're you doing here!?
:Spittle: Shh. Everything is good now, okay? From this moment on I want our family to be wonderful again.
Silver hugs Spittle really tightly as she quickly returns the hug, rubbing Silver's hair as she pats his back.
:Spittle: You and Mallory will be staying at my house again for the next couple of weeks or so until I figure out where you two can live, unless you decide you want to live with me.
:Valerie: I've talked to your mother a bit, and we decided that you're going to go to therapy under your lovers' guidance until we're sure you've made a full recovery. I've seen all that trash floating around.
Spittle hugs both of her children really tightly as Altha catches up to hug Mallory tightly, having a really tight grip on her. Minute checked his watch.
:Minute: Hate to break the meeting short, but we should probably get out of here before this place becomes completely flooded with water.
:Agantuk: Yeah we should probably, y'know, scram.
:Silver: Of course. Let's get out of here.
Everyone gets out of the room, literally seconds before it collapses in on itself. They swim out to the submarine and get hauled in by Cabinet Man, who looked all too happy to do the work.
:Black Eyes: Wow, was that funeral we had for Silver worthless or what?
Devina punches him as everyone else looks rather surprised by his sudden appearance. He looked really dirty, really bruised, really beaten overall, but he smiled for everyone.
:Silver: Uh, wow, hey everyone. It's nice to be home.
:Azrail: A GHOST! No, just kidding, welcome home you son of a bitch!
Azrail rushes over to Silver, giving him a tight hug. Silver smiles as he returns the hug, only to get hugged upon by dozens more people. Mallory suddenly finds herself getting hugged too, looking very taken by surprise.
:Silver: Wouldn't be here if it weren't for Mallory finally getting through my thick skull and convincing me I actually had an incredible past. I'm back, guys.
Mallory looked at some of the people hugging her. Crymsia? Dusty? Hector? Whiskey? Zonas? Abraham? What a strange party of people, but Mallory hugged them really tightly. Some of Mallory's familiar friends walked up to her, smiling at her.
:Beck: I really didn't think you'd improve, Mallory. I'm glad to be wrong, though.
:Mania: I'm still not completely over you taking the satellite down, but... [does a thumbs up] Looks like you had a heart all along, you just had to work on finding it all over again.
Beck and Mania squeeze their old boss tightly, who's happy to hug them back.
:Ferris: Have you been working out?? God, you look and sound so much better now.
:Kispel: That's huge improvement alright, haha wow.
Kispel spins around in his wheelchair.
:Kispel: Can't believe of all the people to bring Silver back up from the earth that it would be you.
Kispel kisses her hand as Quade jumps next to Mallory.
:Quade: Selfie for the photo book, baby!
Quade grins as he snaps a photo of both of them.
:Beck: Can I get in a couple of photos too?
:Mallory: Oh you guys are going to make me blush!
As Mallory takes time reuniting with her old friends and getting some nice praise from newer friends, Silver was getting outright hounded by people and support. Tears welled up in his eyes as people caught up to him.
:Electric Eye: What was life like under the satellite remains?
:Silver: I had a loooooooot of business, to put it in everyman terms.
:Electric Eye: Oh man, how come that can't happen to me? I mean, I love Mania very much, but still!
:Vilicus: You like cake, Silver? We've got cake!
:Scotch: Ah, there you are!
Scotch pushes all of these losers out of the way as he gives Silver a big bear hug.
:Silver: Whoaaaaaaaah hey!
:Scotch: Didn't think I was gonna get the proper chance to befriend you!
:Silver: Oh you wanna be bros?
:Scotch: Is that what people say?
:Silver: You get what I mean.
Silver and Scotch bump fists.
:Platinum: There you are!
Remember that one-time character from Zinfestation? No you don't. Platinum pins Silver against the wall, looking straight at his eyes with a straight grin. When was she invited here!?
:Platinum: How are you doing, handsome?
Medea grinds her teeth.
:Silver: Uh, pretty alright!
:Platinum: That's good, 'cause Metallica are gonna play a setlist of songs in celebration of your coming tonight!
:James Hetfield: YEAH!
:Noise: I wanted Pierce to book Slipknot, but he wouldn't listen to me!
:Pierce: I'm more of a casual music person, okay?
After a bit, everyone were sitting down and watching Metallica's performance. Silver was sitting together with his lovers Medea and Zellen like nothing happened, while Mallory sat happily with Altha and her three kids, all of whom were snuggling up against her.
:Mallory: Thank you, Silver.
:Silver: No Mallory, thank you.
As Mallory and Silver get a little more intimate with their lovers, James Hetfield clears his throat and begins to sing the next song.
:James Hetfield: So close, no matter how far, couldn't be much more from the heart, forever trusting who we are ♪
:All: And nothing else matters ♪
Silver leans into Medea and Zellen as he lets the rest of the song go by, gripping them tightly as Mallory grips her own lover tightly, their children wrapping around the two of them.
:James Hetfield: Never opened myself this way, life is ours, we live it our way ♪
Pierce, dressed in professional business attire, walks on stage and takes a free mic.
:Pierce: All these words we don't just say, and nothing else matters ♪
Pierce winks at James, who in turn flashes a goofy grin at him.
:James Hetfield: Trust I seek and find in you, everyday for us something new ♪
:Pierce: Open my mind for a different view, and nothing else matters ♪
Silver clapped for his cute boyfriend as Pierce winked at him and Mallory from up on the stage.
:James & Pierce: Never cared for what they do! And never cared for what they know! But I know ♪
Silver wraps an arm each around Zellen and Medea as Mallory walks over to Silver, cuddling with her brother. Spittle appears between them, an arm around each of her children as Medea is pushed onto Silver's lap.
:James Hetfield: So close, no matter how far ♪
:Pierce: It couldn't be much more from the heaaaaart ♪
:James Hetfield: Forever trusting who we are ♪
:James & Pierce: And nothing else matters ♪
Lars Ulrich gives up drumming as Black Eyes shakes him off, stealing the drums and playing them himself. Lars then returns, taking off his shoes and using his bare feet to play the bass pedals he never uses.
:Pierce: Never cared for what they do ♪
:James Hetfield: Never cared for what they knowww-OH ♪
:James & Pierce: But I know ♪
Devina and Vizole smile as they get up on stage, respectively playing bass and lead guitar alongside Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo, meaning Black Haze has taken the stage with Metallica.
:Pierce: I never opened myself this way, life is ours, we live it our way ♪
:James Hetfield: All these words I don't just say ♪
:James & Pierce: And nothing else matters ♪
:James Hetfield: Trust I seek and I find in you, every day for us something new ♪
:Pierce: Open mind for a different view, and nothing else matters ♪
Pierce smiles as both bands keep playing together, finding harmony together.
:James Hetfield: Never cared for what they say, never cared for games they play ♪
:Pierce: Never cared for what they do, never cared for what they know-oh ♪
:James & Pierce: I know ♪
:James Hetfield: Yeah ♪
As Vizole and Kirk dual-harmonize on lead guitar, Silver and Mallory happily cry as they hold each other's hands, their lovers holding their free hand.
:Pierce: Sometimes we mess up, and that's okay! There's always room to start over anyway ♪
James looks confused. Those aren't lyrics from the song!
:Pierce: Even when I fall you're here with me, and nothing else matters ♪
:James Hetfield: There's nothing to fear, my shining star! Don't care how bizarre you are ♪
Pierce grins as James also went off the usual verses.
:James Hetfield: Here for you when everything shatters, and nothing else matters ♪
As the song calmed down, James and Pierce spoke into the same mike:
:James Hetfield: So close, no matter how far, couldn't be much more from the heart, forever trusting who we are ♪
:James & Pierce: And nothing else matters ♪
The song finishes. A round of applause plays as Pierce hops from the stage, hugging his boyfriend tightly. The group rallies around each other. Silver smiles as he looks at all three of his loved ones.
:Silver: I love you guys so much, it's so good to be back.
:Mallory: I LOVE YOU ALTHA!!
:Altha: I love you too honey!
:Beau: Be gay!
As everyone hugs each other, the bitter scars become cleansed and dull. The healing is beginning to commence. As the lights go out, the chapter ends. Well, actually, one more thing...
:7:30 A.M. · SATURDAY October 15th, ZXE-233
:Zin Prison, Satarth
Phoenix was smoking a cigarette outside the prison he's built for Silver.
:Phoenix: He's not coming along, is he?
:Bidziil: Apparently he just reunited with his sister, so looks like things are going good for Silver.
:Phoenix: God damn it, I gotta tear all of this down!
Thanatos, who was standing by, cackles as Phoenix sets the whole prison aflame.
===Epilogue===
:10:37 A.M. · MONDAY October 24th, ZXE-233
:The Zin House, Zaxina
Two weeks after Silver and Mallory's tense confrontation, they're shown together on the front porch of their old home with Spittle Zin, who sits knitting in a chair as they both sit down in comfortable rocking chairs.
:Spittle: Thank you both so much for settling your differences with each other, as well as me. I'm really proud of you two for getting a grip on yourselves and making this family a nice one once more.
Spittle smiles warmly at her children, who were holding hands together.
:Spittle: I know that it took a good couple of decades for things to get fixed up between us, but I'm happy that things are back to normal. Well, I suppose as normal as they could possibly ever get.
:Silver: Wouldn't have been possible without Mallory honestly, she took the initiative to change.
:Mallory: You were the one that helped me see that light Silver, don't be handling away all the credit to me.
:Silver: Right, I'm just glad that we were able to finally find good in each other.
Mallory tightens her grip on her sibling's hand.
:Silver: I mean, I still see wrong in both of us, but... that'll probably dissolve with time.
:Mallory: We were both responsible for that crisis, Silver. But we acknowledge that now, we know each other will strive to do better, so we will work on resolving those issues between us together.
:Silver: I'd be more than happy to, Mallory.
:Spittle: You two are so cute, it makes me feel warmth in my poor old heart.
Spittle claps her hands a little as Mallory scoots her chair over to give her sibling a really nice hug.
:Spittle: You two are free to come around any time now, alright? I have completely forgiven you two for everything you've done. Admittedly, most mothers wouldn't do such things for their children, but just.
Spittle sighs as she smiles at them.
:Spittle: There is something so rewarding about seeing us reunite.
:Mallory: I agree, mom.
:Silver: Come here.
Spittle gets off her chair, using her crutches to come over to Silver and Mallory and hug them tightly. Unexpectedly, she slings them over her shoulders, smiling.
:Silver: Whoa!
:Spittle: I've still got strength in me!
Spittle laughs as she squeezes them closely against her, with both Silver and Mallory wrapping their arms around her as they really feel her mother's affection. She then lets go of them when she hears a crackle in her back.
:Spittle: Ooh! That wasn't a great idea.
Spittle laughs as she gets hoisted up by Silver and Mallory, who help her back to her chair.
:Mallory: You don't gotta hurt yourself to show you still love us mom.
:Spittle: Oh I know, but I just wanted to express my excitement for having my family back together.
Mallory smiles as she gets behind her mother, rubbing down her back to relax her as Silver kneels before Spittle.
:Silver: We'll come here whenever we get the chance. I don't really think my daughter would be interested in meeting up with you, but I'd certainly be up for talking! I'd like you and my partners to know each other better, too.
:Mallory: My children are really young and don't really have much family, having you as their lovely grandparent I think would be a lovely thing for them. [smiles] You said you'd be alright with that, yeah?
:Spittle: Yeah!
Spittle grins at her daughter.
:Spittle: I said I'd be willing to bake cookies for them, nurse them, even educate them a little if I have to. I've learned a lot of lessons from my bad parenting, so I promise I'd be a much better grandma.
:Mallory: That'd be lovely. Thank you mom.
:Silver: Heh.
Silver grins at both of them as Mallory rubs deeper into her mother's back, relaxing her sore back muscles.
:Silver: Here's hoping to a better, amended future you two. No more of the crazy shit that held us back from being happy before. A future that leads us somewhere much happier.
Spittle smiles.
:Spittle: How about we go inside for a celebration drink? A future of naught but pure incredibleness.
:Mallory: Hell yeah, let's go!
Spittle grins as she leads both the Zins into her dusty home. Silver takes the step ahead and walks into his room (which he remembered, instinctively) and gasped at how pristine and clean it was.
:Spittle: I've tried to keep your rooms clean ever since I kicked you both out, mostly because I didn't want to see them build dust with time. Feel free to check around your room Silver, it's still yours.
Silver grins as he walks around his room. He looked at the star-patterned ceiling, the vermilion striped walls, and still-intact wooden structures of his room. A dusty CD player sat on his bedside table with all the Blue Öyster Cult albums surrounding it, a big telescope sat capped off at both ends looking outside his window, and a big poster of Saliva Zin saying "I WANT YOU FOR ZAXINA'S ARMY" was laid out near his door.
:Silver: Looks very similar to how it did when I left it.
:Spittle: I was surprised you didn't really take any of those CDs with you.
:Silver: I've learned to sail the high seas!
Silver laughs as he bounces on his bed.
:Silver: It looks really wonderful in here, thank you!
:Spittle: It's no issue. To tell you the truth, I often have children come in to spend the nights, and I let them use your beds to sleep. Taking care of children is honestly how I make money, haha.
:Silver: Oh, that explains a lot.
:Spittle: It gives me enough to get by, sometimes I invite someone named Johnny to come by and help me. I've been dating him a fair bit lately but I don't get too many chances to see him because he relishes in his sea work.
:Mallory: Oh, are you two getting engaged?
:Spittle: I've considered it, but I want him to be more involved in my life first.
:Mallory: Yeah, I can imagine.
Silver leaps off his bed, smiling as he takes his record player. Mallory pulls out her bootleg Blue Öyster Cult CD.
:Silver: Oh shit, you still have our bootleg CD Mallory?
:Mallory: Yeah! I took it with me when I noticed you didn't take it with you.
Mallory bumps his elbow.
:Mallory: C'mon, let's go see my room now!
Spittle smiles as she leads her children into the next room. Mallory gasps as her room is just how she remembers it, from the fuchsia striped walls to the peace sign-littered ceiling. Portraits and photos of her family hang around on the walls, showing many people we'll probably never see. Agnes Yang, Tristian Aries, Vanilla Leo, Ivo Black, Alice Amour, Hades Yin, and Strawberry Sin. Also in Mallory's room was mainly steel architecture, from her bed to her shelves, with the floor patterned supposedly by Mallory herself.
:Mallory: Whoa, this room still looks a lot like mine.
Mallory walks forward, whistling as she sees all the perfectly placed-together Rubik's cubes, the unopened boxes of Hot Tamales sitting on her desk, and all the board games stacked up in the corner of her room.
:Mallory: I remember when I used to play board games with you two all the time, I'd always win at them because I was a bit of a bastard and liked to cheat luck.
:Silver: Oh I was cheating at them too, right when I began noticing you were doing it.
:Spittle: I'll be real, I started cheating the board games before either of you did.
They shared a laugh together as Mallory pulled up a box of Monopoly.
:Mallory: I remember this! We spent forever getting this heavy metal edition of the game, remember Silver?
:Silver: I do a little bit, didn't we have to camp out in front of a store together for 48 hours to get a copy before anyone else could?
:Mallory: Yeah we did, heh, we certainly were crazy siblings.
Mallory tucks the board game under her arm as they walk out of her room. Spittle guides them to the kitchen, which was very recently dusted free as she opens her fridge, pulling out a big pitcher of absinthe.
:Mallory: Do you still drink, mother?
:Spittle: Nowadays it's just because I still miss your dad, but that was over 40 years ago so I should probably stop drowning in my sorrows over that.
Spittle pulls out three glasses as Silver and Mallory sit together at the kitchen table, with Spittle pouring each glass almost full to the tip.
:Spittle: Drink up!
:Silver: Heh, you're the best mom.
:Spittle: Only took you 35 years or so to say that, hehe.
Spittle clinks glasses with her son and daughter.
:All: Cheers!
As all three sip at their drinks, Silver plays the bootleg Blue Öyster Cult CD (which was last left at "Veteran of the Psychic Wars") and Mallory sets up the old Monopoly game, with the player pieces modelled after James Hetfield, Corey Taylor, Dave Mustaine, Lemmy Kilmister, Ozzy Osbourne, Axl Rose, Bruce Dickinson, and Ted Nugent.
:Mallory: Oh right, we outgrew that music.
Mallory flicks Ted Nugent's figure outside.
:Silver: What if he gets choked on by a bird?
:Mallory: It'd be perfect irony, Silver.
:Silver: Ohhhh.
They share a laugh together.
:Spittle: Now, from this day on, we are leaving the past behind us! We will not speak anymore of a time where we aren't the people we are now. Our bitter scars need to dissolve because we cannot hurt each other anymore, our hearts are filled once more with trust and purpose, so why stay behind in a time that doesn't matter to us anymore? If any pain remains, we can help each other through it, yes?
:Silver: We can.
:Mallory: Yes, we can.
Mallory smiles, which her brother mirrors.
:Mallory: Thank you mom. For the future!
:Silver: The futuuuuuure!
As they clink glasses together, the story comes to a close.
THANK YOU FOR PLAYING
Before the story actually closes, we see these three sitting around, very intensely focused on their game of Monopoly, with nobody in the lead and everybody looking decently pissed.
:Silver: Just like old times.
As they play Monopoly, we see a strange silhouette, one with the head of a hammerhead shark, peer mischievously from the shadows.
:???: Finally, the Zins are all in one place! Ahahaha!
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