The Awakening From a Living Nightmare/The Awakening

***The Awakening*** is the fifth and final part of *The Awakening From a Living Nightmare*.

## The Awakening

*[The Pride-merged Chloe appeared from the ground, with Pride leaving her body as soon as they arrived in the Apocrypha-based world. Chloe looked around confused as Pride started on his way.]*

Chloe: Where are we?

Pride: Alan's subconscious. Your dreamscapes merged to some extent when he entered the nightmare.

*[Pride floated forward and Chloe followed, but stopped when she almost tripped on something which made a metallic sound as she hit it. Looking down, her eyes quivered.]*

Chloe: P-Pride?

*[Pride turned back and followed her gaze, his own eye narrowing. Chloe reached down and lifted the object, revealing it to be the Stabilized Simplicitrix.]*

Chloe: A-Any chance this belongs to the other Alan?

*[Before Pride could answer, the sky was lit up by a gigantic plume of fire from somewhere else in Alan's dreamscape.]*

Pride: I'm afraid that's wishful thinking.

*[The two of them took off in the direction of the fire plume. As the flames died down, the two found Alan in the form of Gravattastic, with what appeared to be acidic tears coming from his many eyes.]*

Chloe: Alan?

*[Gravattastic spun around, putting his hand out and activating Indombrittable's holy light, which caused Pride to have to retreat to the shadows. Gravattastic hesitated before keeping his guard up.]*

Chloe: A-Alan, it's me-

Gravattastic: How the hell do I know you're not part of the nightmare, too?!

Chloe: Wh-What?

Gravattastic: How do I know the nightmare isn't trying to use you against me?! It's already used everyone else!

Chloe: Alan-

*[Chloe went to take a step forward but was cut off by Gravattastic shooting a Chromastone blast just before her feet.]*

Gravattastic: Don't fucking come closer!

Pride: ALAN!

*[Gravattastic turned, seeing Pride coming out with his second skin back on to protect him from the Indombrittable light.]*

Pride: You need to calm down.

*[After essentially just having a stand off with the two of them, Gravattastic lowered his arm and turned away, sitting with his back to them.]*

Gravattastic: Get her out.

Pride: I can't do that without you.

Gravattastic: Then fucking find a way. She needs someone that can actually protect her. Not... me.

*[Pride looked visibly uncomfortable, not entirely sure how to continue. Chloe looked at the ground solemnly, her expression slowly turning into a scowl.]*

Chloe: *(whispering)* ...Fuck you.

*[Gravattastic seemed unphased but Pride looked over to her. Her breathing increased as she looked up at Gravattastic, her expression now full of rage.]*

Chloe: FUCK YOU!

*[A blue light flashed over Chloe as her Deadpool suit appeared, along with her already wielding its katanas.]*

Pride: Chloe-

*[Chloe got a running start then jumped, slashing her katanas at Gravattastic's back, which of course did nothing. She jumped over him and sliced at his arms, growing angrier the more he appeared unphased. Chloe slashed a katana at his core, but it was grabbed by his Blisteroo arm, which proceeded to heat up and break the sword. Screaming in frustration, she thrust the other sword to his face, but it went right into one of the glowing red Decayed veins, resulting in it aging to dust. With her swords gone, but still determined to hurt him, she went to punch him, only to be pulled away by Pride.]*

Pride: Enough with the melodramatic theatrics! You two are pathetic! *[sets down Chloe and turns to Gravattastic]* If I didn't know better, I'd call *you* the prideful one! Every time someone has a problem, you just have to make it about yourself! Whether it's you needing to "save the day," or you actually being the "victim" of something! And you! *[turns to Chloe]* You've obviously got several pent up anger issues! As justified as some of them are, do you really think hurting someone trying to do what he thinks is best is the right course of action?

Chloe: What he thinks is "best"?! WHAT HE THINKS IS BULLSHIT! DOES HE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I WENT THROUGH?! NO! AND IT'S HARD TO THINK HE EVEN CARES! THE ***ONE*** TIME I NEED HIM TO PLAY GOD, AND HE DECIDES ***THAT'S*** THE BEST TIME TO STOP! *[turns to Gravattastic]* THE ONE PERSON I WOULD'VE WANTED DEAD IS THE ONE YOU FEEL REMORSE ABOUT! HE DESERVED IT!

Gravattastic: Didn't Hitmas? Hagan? ...Richard?

*[Chloe fell silent, as did the whole area.]*

Pride: ...You two need serious therapy.

*[Chloe kicked the ground in frustration, ignoring Pride's comment.]*

Chloe: ALL YOU CAN SAY IN RESPONSE IS YOU WERE *RIGHT?!*

Gravattastic: I'm *not* right. That's why I haven't done what you want. It's not right.

Chloe: AND MAKING ME GO THROUGH THIS iS?! YOU COULD STOP IT AT ANY TIME, BUT INSTEAD, I HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT NOR-

*[Chloe cut herself off before she could say the word, her hands shaking as she collapsed to her knees. Pride eyed her.]*

Pride: Correct me if I'm wrong, but you did say that's how you wanted to go about it.
Chloe: I... I just... I don't have a choice....Not when he refuses to help the way I need it...

*[The area fell silent again. Pride looked between the two, then saw the Stabilized Simplicitrix. He reached a tentacle out to grab it, then brought it close to Gravattastic.]*

Pride: Do it.

Gravattastic: That's not my place.

Pride: Shut the fuck up and do it. Do you sincerely believe that getting your god complex in check is more important than making sure your signifcant other is okay.

Gravattastic: As if you'd know anything about that, "Pride."

*[Once again the area fell silent for a few moments, Pride clenching his fist before speaking up.]*

Pride: I was born knowing my destiny as the Sin Alien of Pride. Or I suppose, fate is a better word to use than destiny. I tried to avoid it. I guess in a way I was fulfilling it regardless; it's quite egotistical to believe you can overcome the universe's plans. In any case, I... I had a family, for a time. A lover and a few children. But the Anur System is riddled with anarchy. They were... taken from me. That era of my life filled me with regrets. I'm not even entirely sure if I truly loved them, or if it was solely me trying to spite the universe. But if I didn't... If I didn't put myself that far forward, perhaps she'd still be here, and the children we had could've been had with someone a more worthy father.

*[Chloe and Gravattastic exchanged glances.]*

Chloe: Pride...

Gravattastic: I-I'm-

Pride: I don't need your fucking pity! I need you to understand. This is *not* a road you want to travel. Even now, my attempts to spite the universe have proven to be in vein. I thought sampling myself for the Simplicitrix would allow at least some version of me to do better than what I myself was fated for. Instead, I ended up wrapping five earthlings into it. You need to be better than me, Alan. Especially since you've become a part of this. I understand your hesitation, Alan, but if you don't use your powers when you *need* to, then you'll lose everyone close to you.

*[After a moment of silent thinking, Gravattastic reached for the Stabilized Simplicitrix, immediately transforming back into Alan with the device once again on his wrist. He looked to Chloe.]*

Alan: Just this once.

*[Chloe exhaled with unfathomable relief, tears forming in her eyes. Alan sighed, reluctantly activating his device, and pressing down on Omnitricks' hologram.]*

*[With a loud gasp, Chloe woke up from the nightmare, startling everyone else in the room. As she sat up, red dust manifested around her before forming into Phantasy standing beside the couch, who then proceeded to revert to Alan, facing away from Chloe with a disheartened look. Alexis ran over and hugged Chloe tightly.]*

Alexis: Are you okay?

Chloe: I-I think so. At least, I am now. *[turns to Alan with a smile]* Thanks, babe.

*[Alan took a moment to force the most natural-looking smile he could before turning back to her.]*

Alan: It's my job, isn't it?

*[Chloe reciprocated the smile, albeit genuinely, as Alexis pulled away from the hug.]*

Alexis: What happened?

Chloe: It was.... A pretty bad nightmare. I think. There's a bit I don't remember.

*[Alan looked away, regaining his uncomfortable look.]*

Alexis: Well, you're back now. That's what's important.

*[Chloe nodded and Alexis helped her to her feet. As she got up, Chloe put her hand to her mouth.]*

Alexis: What?

Chloe: ...I don't feel good.

*[Chloe stumbled some, with Alexis helping her keep her balance as the two made it to the bathroom. Mason noticed Alan's expression.]*

Mason: What's up with you?

*[Alan remained quiet. The bathroom door could be heard closing and Alexis came back, sensing some of the tension in the room.]*

Alan: ...I had to erase some of her memory.

Devin: You did *what*?

Alexis: I thought you weren't going to do that!

Alan: I wasn't! And I'm not going to do something like that again! But this... This has been killing her. So, against my wishes, convinced by her and Pride... I erased all her memories of Samael. She doesn't remember meeting him. She doesn't remember the manipulation. And she doesn't remember the r-... The r-... Ra-....

*[Alan clenched his fist when trying to say the word. Seeing he was about to have an emotional outburst with one of his powers, Alexis ran over and place a hand on his arm, using her powers to calm him down. He took a deep breath, pulling her in for a quick hug.]*

Alan: Someone's gonna have to let Ember and Finn know. We don't want them to bring him up without knowing she doesn't remember.

Devin: Are you gonna handle that?

Alan: If no one else does. For now, though... *[cracks neck]* I'm going to go cook something to relieve stress. *[begins walking out of the living room to the kitchen]* I'mma make a blooming onion if anyone wants some.

Mananofy: I'd love some!

Alan: Get the fuck out of my house.

*[The scene changed to the night sky before panning down. Chloe was seen sitting on a chair on a balcony of the house, staring up at the stars while getting some fresh air. Inside a ways, Alan stood staring out at her. He took out his phone while taking a deep breath, and began making his way to the balcony. When he got there, he placed his phone down on a small table, having it start to play music as he cleared his throat.'**]***

Alan: *No more talk of darkness...*

*[Chloe didn't respond.]*

Alan: *Forget these wide eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you. My words will warm and calm you....*

*[Alan stepped forward just a tad, hoping for some response.]*

Alan: *Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears. I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you...*

*[Alan stopped, and turned away to walk back inside when he got no response.]*

Chloe: *Say you'll love me every waking moment. Turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you'll need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true.*

*[Alan turned back a bit surprised, seeing Chloe having stood up from her chair to face him.]*

Chloe: *That's all I ask of you.*

*[The two approached each other and began dancing as they continued singing.]*

Alan: *Let me be your shelter, let me be your light. You're safe, no one will find you. Your fears are fare behind you!*

Chloe: *All I want is freedom! A world with no more night! And you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me!*

Alan: *Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime! Let me lead you from your solitude. Say you'll need me with you here beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go, too... Chloe, that's all I ask of you.*

*[Chloe finally put on a smile.]*

Alan/Chloe: *Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime! Say the word and I will follow you! Share each day with me, each light, each morning.*

Chloe: *Say you love me.*

Alan: *You know I do...*

Chloe: *Love me, that's all I ask of you...*

*[Alan twirled and dipped Chloe before bringing her back up to face him.]*

Alan/Chloe: *Anywhere you'll go, let me go, too! Love me, that's all I ask of you...*

*[The two shared a kiss. However, it was pretty short lived as they were interupted by the sounds of clapping and condescending "Aww"s. They turned to see Alexis, Devin, and Mason standing at the doorway.]*

Alan: What the fuck are you doing here?

Mason: ...We live here?

Devin: Also, you left the door open when you started your little musical number.

Chloe: You guys are interrupting something, y'know?

Alan: Trust me. They know. That's why they're doing it.

*[Chloe rolled her eyes then sniffed a bit, looking confused.]*

Chloe: Is that... blooming onion?

Alan: Yeah, I... May or may not have made some on a whim.

Chloe: ...I'm gonna get some. You coming with?

Alan: I've had enough, trust me. I'll stay out here for a bit.

*[Chloe nodded then headed inside with the others, closing the door behind her. Alan turned to the edge of the balcony, leaning on the railing as he looked uncomfortable with his decision earlier again.]*

Alan: ...Pride?

Pride *(voice)*: Hm?

Alan: If it's alright... Your wife. What was her name?

*[The voice in his head fell silent.]*

Alan: I-It's alright if you don't... Want to talk about it. I just-

Pride *(voice)*: Harmony. Her name was Harmony.

Alan: *[smiles contently]* Harmony. I like that.

Pride *(voice)*: You remind me of her.

Alan: Is that why you've stuck around?

Pride *(voice)*: I've suck around because I have no choice. I'm bound to that device on your wrist. I keep you in check because you remind me of her. When the Ectonurite DNA sample was unlocked and I regained consciousness, I was hesitant to allow a chance to connect with the Simplicitrix's user. Twice, I tried to defy the universe, and twice, I failed. My immediate actions dealt with the prophecy of the Sin Aliens.

Alan: Why haven't you tried to go back again?

Pride *(voice)*: Since meeting you, I've realized something.

Alan: That osteoporosis is a sham by the medical field to leech more money off innocent citizens?

Pride *(voice)*​​​​​​​: Wh- No, I-

Alan: Oh, you've realized daylight savings time is unnecessary and should end permanently?

Pride *(voice)*​​​​​​​: I- No!

Alan: ....Ice Wall is canon?

Pride *(voice)*​​​​​​​: Be quiet you imbecile! *[sighs]* Since meeting you, I've realized that... There's more than one way to reach your goal. And while this prophecy may not be *my* goal, I think... I think that working with you is the way I'll still be involved.

Alan: Oh. Right. That. ...How did I help you realize that exactly?

*[Pride didn't answer, simply giving an exasperated sigh as Alan made his way back inside. The scene panned down and away from the house, showing the dark treeline. The faint outline of something moving could be seen. For a split second, three triangular eyes could be seen: the right being white, the middle blue, and the left red, and a blue hourglass far below them was seen as well before everything went black.]*​​​​​​​