Chapter 4

*Evan, Vivian, Jacklin and Felix are in their Hotel Room. Felix somehow brought a Whiteboard in, which is filled with scribbles.

FELIX: We can safely assume that we are on the right Track with these Guys, right?

EVAN: Even if they aren’t related to the Moon, they are definitely hiding something big.

VIVIAN: Not like they’re very good at hiding it.

FELIX: Probably a good Idea to keep our eye on them.

JACKLIN: I would like to talk to Isaac at least. Let her know that I’m not usually like… that.

EVAN: No way in Hell am I spending another Day with Isaac!

JACKLIN: I mean. She can’t be that bad right?

EVAN: She left you to die.

JACKLIN: Yeah, I’m not sure if I trust you on that. I’d rather check her out myself.

FELIX: I don’t think Jacklin should be left by herself though. Just in case.

EVAN: True. Vivian! You go with her.

VIVIAN: WHuh? Why me?

EVAN: She went back to normal after the… Thing touched her. You can probably do the same, right?

VIVIAN: I guess…

*Jacklin touches her Wound from the Day before. It still hurts a little.

JACKLIN: Shouldn’t we also look for the Thing Evan saw? If it was really like Vivian, then it could be extremely dangerous.

FELIX: Didn’t that Cyclops say he noticed something similar too? This could be important, you’re right.

VIVIAN: Evan can just do the same thing he did to me, right?

EVAN: Well, I guess?

VIVIAN: What do you mean?

EVAN: This one was different than Vivian. Instead of attacking me it felt like it was… afraid of me. Like it was able of coherent thought. Somewhat.

JACKLIN: I wonder whose Soul this one is, if it was able to recognize Evan.

EVAN: No clue.

*That was a complete Lie. Evan has some suspicions as to the Identity of the Thing. He looks at Vivian. She looks at him. She knows too.

JACKLIN: Also, can we think of a better name for them? Calling them “Things” sounds stupid.

FELIX: Well, what do- VIVIAN: Cannibals.

…

EVAN: Yeah that fits.

FELIX: However that will have to wait. We don’t have a good way to track it down without the GPS, now that Isaac took it. Anything else?

EVAN: I would like to check up on Zoey.

FELIX: From what you said she might stay behind for a bit. This might be a good Chance to split them up actually. The less unified they are the more they might slip up.

EVAN: What about the other Guy. Uhh. Green?

VIVIAN: He’s unreliable. Even his Boss doesn’t trust him.

EVAN: Think we could get him to switch sides?

FELIX: He did seem a bit unsatisfied with his Job. Might be worth thinking about.

JACKLIN: So how do we contact them? Just call them again to meet up?

VIVIAN: Probably won’t work after last time.

EVAN: I called Zoey earlier. She told me where they’re staying. Let’s just head over there.

JACKLIN: Wait what?

EVAN: Well, I wanted to know if they were ok.

FELIX: Let’s not waste any time then. Let’s go there.

*They head over to Isaac’s Apartment. Jacklin and Vivian knock on the Door. Felix and Evan stay out of view in the Hallway. Evan smokes.

ISAAC: You better not be that god damn Landlord again!

*She opens the Door.

ISAAC: Oh. You’re still alive. You want to fight or something?

JACKLIN: Wh- Nonononono. I just wanted to talk with you for a bit. You only met the Bizarro Version of me so I thought I should introduce myself properly.

ISAAC: Does that mean Evan is here too?

VIVIAN: No. Just me.

ISAAC: Damnit- I mean. Good! I never want to see his ugly Face again!

*Jacklin catches a Glimpse of Zoey and steps to the Side of the Door.

JACKLIN: Can we talk out here?

ISAAC: Sure. Whatever.

LUCY: Oh! hey Vi!

VIVIAN: Sup Luz.

JACKLIN: Since when are you on Nickname Basis?

VIVIAN: Just now.

ISAAC: Ok. So you aren’t related to the Shark Guy then?

JACKLIN: No! Not at all!

ISAAC: Speaking of. Is he dead?

JACKLIN: Uhh.

VIVIAN: Yep. Dead as a Doornail.

^{ISAAC: Damnit. Now I have to explain to them why I couldn’t capture him.}

JACKLIN: So, are you a Bounty Hunter?

ISAAC: Maybe. LUCY: Yeah.

ISAAC: LUCY!!

LUCY: Sorry.

VIVIAN: Bounty Hunter huh.

ISAAC: Well… Yeah. But I might not be for much longer if that weird Shadow Thing keeps showing up.

JACKLIN: The Cannibal?

LUCY: Is that what it’s called?

VIVIAN: They definitely are.

ISAAC: Okaaayyy. So you know their Name. Any Tips on beating them though?

*Jacklin Side Eyes Vivian, and then points to her.

JACKLIN: You do realize that she is one of them. Right?

ISAAC: … *Isaac takes a long look at Vivian.

ISAAC: Yes. _ßLie

ISAAC: But why is she so different then? She doesn’t make me want to rip my Eyes out for one.

VIVIAN: Is that a compliment?

JACKLIN: Evan cut her down to Size and she came to her Senses if I understood correctly. Wait, weren’t you there during that?

ISAAC: I was kind of busy not dying during that.

LUCY: Maybe we should look into that. They seem pretty Dangerous.

ISAAC: Where would we even look though.

LUCY: What about the Higher Strata?

JACKLIN: (Higher Strata?) VIVIAN: (Higher Strata?)

ISAAC: Why there?

LUCY: Rene told me about it. “If you beat all the Challenges and defeat the Gods you will receive the ultimate Reward” I would assume if you can defeat a God you can defeat one of those Things, right?

JACKLIN: The little Girl has a Point.

^{LUCY: I’m older than you.}

ISAAC: I guess. But we can’t go on an Adventure right now. I’m not putting Zoey in Danger right now. She almost died yesterday. TO YOU! *She points at Jacklin.

JACKLIN: Hmpf.

JACKLIN: We could help. I bet we can be much more of a Help than Zoey. You did see how strong I am after all (I think).

VIVIAN: AND you can make sure that Jacklin doesn’t attack her again, because she’s with you!

ISAAC: Hmmm. This wouldn’t be official Business, so I guess it would be fine if she stayed behind. (Can’t let Rene know about this though.)

*She walks into her Room and yells.

ISAAC: HEY RENE! MAKE SURE ZOEY IS SAFE! ME AND LUCY WILL BE GONE FOR A BIT!

RENE: You didn’t have to yell at me I was right here.

ISAAC: So you heard what I said, right? Great. Bye bye!

*She closes the Door.

ISAAC: Great. Let’s go.

*Isaac opens a Portal. They all walk through it.

FELIX: Okay they are gone. Our turn now.

*Evan grabs Felix by his Collar before he turns the Corner.

EVAN: Wait.

*The Portal opens back up and Isaac walks back into her Room.

ISAAC: Forgot my Wallet.

*She goes back into the Portal

EVAN: Okay now we can go.

*They go and knock on the Door. Rene opens the Door.

RENE: Did you forget your Keys now- oh.

FELIX: We have some more Questions after Yesterday.

RENE: I’m sure you do *He moves to close the Door. Evan puts his Foot in the Door.

EVAN: I’m also here to make sure Zoey is okay.

RENE: Um. I don’t think you should-

ZOEY: Oh hey Evan. *Rene rips open the Door

RENE: Yeah! They said, they wouldn’t stay long though.

EVAN: Did your Wounds heal up nice. *They step inside.

ZOEY: Yeah. Lucy helped with that. Couldn’t fix my Shirt though sadly. Also who’s that?

FELIX: Hello, I’m- RENE: He’s the Guy I told you about that dragged me away from you guys.

FELIX: That’s not…well…

EVAN: You say that as if he’s dangerous. Are you sure you didn’t just get distracted.

RENE: …

FELIX: Anyway, we just overheard Ms. Isaac talking about the Higher Strata.

RENE: You probably misheard. I don’t even know what that is.

EVAN: Wow that’s embarrassing.

RENE: Wha?

EVAN: Aren’t you some kind of Big Shot? How do you not know the Higher Strata? Guess I thought too much of you.

RENE: W-w-w-wait! Higher Strata? I thought you said. Uhh. The Higher… Drata. Of course I know the Higher Strata.

EVAN: Cool. So you can definitely take us there.

RENE: …

RENE: You swindled me.

EVAN: Glad you noticed, Smartass.

ZOEY: Wait. Why do you ask about that?

EVAN: Didn’t Felix tell you? Y’know? The Moon?

ZOEY: What about it?

FELIX: Well. It exploded. And I’d like to know why.

RENE: We already went over this yesterday.

FELIX: Do you know anything about it?!

ZOEY: I was still a Baby when it happened. I don’t even remember a World before it being like this.

EVAN: Oh well. Rene promised that he’d take us to the Higher Strata. That’s good enough.

RENE: I didn’t promise that!... Did I?

EVAN: You did.

FELIX: I think you did.

ZOEY: You did. *She says trying to hide a smile.

RENE: Well too bad. Isaac instructed me to protect Zoey.

EVAN: She can come along, right?

ZOEY: I think so. As long as we don’t get into any Fights.

RENE: Well I can’t promise-

EVAN: Just give it up and take us there!

RENE: …Fine

*Rene pulls out a Key and opens up a Portal.

RENE: Let’s go then.

*They step out of the Portal. They are in the same Location that Rene took Felix and Vivian the day before.

FELIX: Wait. Here again?

RENE: It’s in the Higher Strata. This is what you wanted, right? *He smiles smugly.

EVAN: So this is the Lab you mentioned?

ZOEY: I don’t think I know this place actually…

EVAN: It’s some kind of fake Laboratory.

RENE: What do you mean Fake?! All the Equipment here is real.

EVAN: Whatever. Felix already checked out the Inside here, right? Let’s go outside.

RENE: I… Don’t think you should do that.

EVAN: That’s fine. I didn’t ask you to think.

*Evan starts going in a random Direction.

RENE: You’re going to get lost!

EVAN: If you don’t want me to get lost tell me the way.

RENE: Ger9jfsg Fine! Follow me!

*Rene leads the way. He leans towards Felix.

RENE: (Is he always like this?)

FELIX: (Yeah pretty much.)

*They reach a Big Door that seems to be the Entrance. There are 2 Statues with a Big Axes next to it.

RENE: There. Go ahead. Open it.

*Felix and Evan give Rene a suspicious look.

ZOEY: Does this actually lead outside?

*Zoey puts her Hand on the Doorhandle.

RENE: Zoey Wait!

* The Statues both immediately Swing towards Zoey.

*Zoey is ducking on the Ground. Above her is a Spirit Version of her in Full Plate Armor, holding the Axe up with a Shield.

*Evan grabs Rene’s Antennae and yanks them back

EVAN: ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US?!

RENE: AUGH! NO!

*Zoey looks up and runs towards the others. The Statues start moving from their Spots.

FELIX: I didn’t know you could do that.

ZOEY: Neither did I…

*Evan lets go.

EVAN: Well you said you’d protect Zoey so get to it.

RENE: Pshh. Easy.

*Rene pulls out 2 Sniper Rifles from his Jacket and shoots at both statues at the same time. He misses completely.

RENE: Hold on.

*He reloads, spins around and misses again. The Statues are going after the Spirit Zoey.

EVAN: Okay. Stop. What the Fuck was that.

RENE: It’s harder than it looks.

EVAN: Just stop spinning around like an Idiot and Aim first!

RENE: What do you mean?

*Evan grabs one of Rene’s Guns. Looks through the Scope, aims at the right Statue’s Head and Shoots.

*The Statue’s Head explodes and it falls to the Ground.

EVAN: Goddamn this Thing is strong. Where’d you get it?

RENE: Oh. uh. My Boss made it for me. Is it really that strong?

EVAN: Where’d you even find explosive Rounds.

RENE: I’m pretty sure it doesn’t use Bullets actually. It’s Magic.

EVAN: I wish I had that. That would save so much money.

ZOEY: Could you guys please take care of that other Statue before it kills that other me?!!?

RENE: Oh right.

*Rene looks through the Scope. Aims at the Head of the remaining Statue and Shoots. Blowing up the Head.

EVAN: See? Much more effective, right?

RENE: Yeah, but it’s so… lame.

EVAN: Not everything needs to be flashy dude.

RENE: I guess so- Wait! Why are you giving me Tips?! Aren’t we Enemies?!

EVAN: We are?

RENE: Yeah! Isaac wants you dead! We fought each other!

EVAN: Why does Isaac matter? She’s not here is she.

RENE: But my Boss-

*Evan puts his Hand on Rene’s Shoulder.

EVAN: Wouldn’t approve of you willingly giving Info away. How about this then? We fight.

RENE: ?

EVAN: One on one. No Guns. You win and we will let it go.

FELIX: Wait but-

EVAN: But if I win, then you tell us everything. That- RENE: I can’t.

*Evan looks at Rene. He looks strangely serious. As if something is actively preventing him from telling them.

EVAN: Then how about we keep looking on our own and you promise not to disrupt our Investigation. I’m sure your Bosses can’t get on your Case for that.

RENE: Why not?

EVAN: Because I am threatening to murder you in cold blood if you don’t tell me.

*Evan winks at Rene.

RENE: Alright. But I won’t make this easy for you.

*As Evan and Rene start fighting the Spirit Zoey walks over to the real one. Zoey touches it and it disappears.

FELIX: What even is that.

ZOEY: I think my Soul left my Body to protect me. I think I developed Magic!

FELIX: Can everybody do that?

ZOEY: Nnnnno. Everybody only gets one Power no matter what. I didn’t think I would develop one so soon. I thought it would take Years. Hold on!

*She pulls out the Crystal from her Pocket that Evan gave her the Day before.

ZOEY: Oops. forgot about this. Maybe this has something to do with it.

*Felix thinks back to the Time he was at the Computer with that Crystal on his Lap. And the Electricity surrounding him after. How time suddenly seems slower when he gets stressed. Does he also have Magic?

FELIX: How do you know so much about this?

ZOEY: Oh! *Zoey pulls out a Book from her Pocket.

ZOEY: Isaac’s Boss gave me this in exchange for helping her.

FELIX: Why does everyone call them “The Boss” anyway. Do they not have a Name?

ZOEY: I… don’t know.

FELIX: And why did you join them? No offense but you don’t seem to be much use as a Bounty Hunter.

ZOEY: I have wondered about that too. It at least got me out of my Room. Travelling with Isaac lets me see so many different things. It’s incredible.

*Felix makes a mental Note of that Information.

ZOEY: Yeah… Sorry. I don’t know much.

FELIX: Well. At least I now know that there HAS to be some kind of Logic behind this magic if you can write a Book about it.

*Evan suplexes Rene to the Ground. His Face is slightly charred.

EVAN: That was sloppy.

RENE: You fought dirty…

EVAN: That’s how you fight if you want to win. Also you have Light Powers and I don’t. Though you didn’t really use them much. You only did lasers.

RENE: What do you mean “only”?

EVAN: We can talk about that later. First off.

*Evan pulls out his Shotgun and aims it at Rene’s Head.

EVAN: Now let’s get going or I will blow your head clean off *He says without an ounce of malicious intent.

RENE: A Promise is a promise.

*Rene uses a Key to open the Door. Outside is a big open Field. The Grass is Teal and the Trees are Blue. There are a few Buildings off in the Distance.

EVAN: Felix. What Country has this kind of Grass?

FELIX: As far as I know NONE of them do.

EVAN: Ey Rene.

RENE: That has nothing to do with the Moon. I don’t need to tell you that.

FELIX: It’s Fine. I have an Idea.

*Felix pulls out a Compass.

FELIX: If we figure out the Direction of the Sun in relation to the Cardinal Directions we can guess where we are.

*Felix takes a Look at the Compass. It spins around aimlessly. Not pointing in any Direction.

FELIX: Huh.

EVAN: No magnetic Field?

ZOEY: There’s also no Sun.

*They all look up. Sure enough. There was no Sun.

FELIX: BUT THEN WHERE IS THE LIGHT COMING FROM?!

*Evan crouches down and pulls out some Grass. He looks at it for a Moment. And then eats it.

EVAN: Gross.

*He spits it out.

FELIX: Don’t eat Grass!

EVAN: That’s not Grass.

ZOEY: ?

EVAN: That’s Hair.

Meanwhile, at an earlier Point in Time.

*Isaac exits the Portal after getting her Wallet. They are standing at the Edge of a Field with Teal “Grass” and Blue Trees. Next to them is the Entrance to a Cave.

VIVIAN: So you simply have access to a different Dimension?

ISAAC: Pff. I practically own the Place.

LUCY: Rene said this Cave is the first step of the Journey.

VIVIAN: Wait. Journey? How long are we talking?

ISAAC: We will be done within the Hour I bet. As long as you carry your weight.

JACKLIN: I can carry myself just fine I will let you know!

VIVIAN: Wait. Can’t we skip all this if we just use your GPS Thingie?

ISAAC: Hmm? Oh. No that won’t work.

VIVIAN: Why not?

*Isaac pulls out the “GPS Thingie” and turns it on. The entire Screen flashes in bright Colors.

JACKLIN: What the Heck?

VIVIAN: Oh, so this ENTIRE PLACE is Magic.

ISAAC: Yeah. So this thing is pretty useless here.

VIVIAN: Guess we will have to do it the intended way. Boring.

ISAAC: If you can really carry yourself then surely you can beat me to the End. Right, Dragongirl?

JACKLIN: You’re on!

*They both run in and start Slicing and Blasting anything that moves. Lucy and Vivian follow behind at a leisurely Pace. None of them pose any kind of Challenge, consisting mostly of Animated Objects and Strange Critters.

*Isaac stretches her Legs immensely to go faster, but she is no match for Jacklin blasting herself forward. They reach a Dead End with a Door.

ISAAC: I win.

JACKLIN: What?! How?

ISAAC: I beat more of the Lackeys.

JACKLIN: That wasn’t what we were competing for!

ISAAC: Aww don’t be a sore loser.

JACKLIN: Also I think I beat you on that front too.

LUCY: Oh sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.

VIVIAN: Jacklin did indeed win.

ISAAC: LIAR!

JACKLIN: How can we be sure that YOU aren’t the Liar?

ISAAC: *Gasp* How dare you! I would never Lie.

LUCY: Didn’t you lie to Rene about- ISAAC: Ababababa- We don’t talk about that.

JACKLIN: Whatever. So where is this so called Challenge? Everything so far has been easy street.

?: What the Heck is going on out there?!

*A small Kobold runs out from what appears to be a Break Room in a Cave Wall. It has a broken horn and wears ragged Clothes.

VIVIAN: Not here that’s for sure.

?: (I didn’t know we had Newcomers today…)

ISAAC: Hey Pipsqueak! Where’s the Treasure?

KOBOLD: I’m not a Pipsqueak. I’m a Kobold.

ISAAC: Same thing. *Isaac walks over to the Kobold and looks down on it. The Kobold looks at Jacklin.

KOBOLD: Hold on. Aren’t you-

*The Kobold ignores Isaac and runs towards Jacklin.

KOBOLD: IT’S THE BOSS! I was worried about you! They said they’d send a replacement for you ages ago but never did. It was really hard to run everything in your Place!

*Jacklin looks around confused.

LUCY: Jacklin I didn’t know you had Friends here.

JACKLIN: That’s cause I DON’T! What do you MEAN Boss?!

^{ISAAC: Yeah I’m the Boss around here!}

KOBOLD: What do you mean? You look just like him.

VIVIAN: Maybe it’s your evil Alter Ego he’s talking about.

^{ISAAC: Don’t you ignore me!}

JACKLIN: That… oh yeah. _{I tried not to think about that}

VIVIAN: How about we use that to take advantage of this little Munchkin.

JACKLIN: (Alright). Ahem. Yes I am he.

KOBOLD: … You do know that I could hear that entire Conversation just now.

VIVIAN: …

JACKLIN: …

VIVIAN: Alright Plan B. We beat him up. We have him outnumbered.

KOBOLD: Maybe so but-

*The Kobold jumps back. It shortly disappears. In the next Moment the Room is filled with differently colored Versions of it.

KOBOLD: You’ll have to find me first!

ISAAC: Best 2 out of 3, Dragon?

JACKLIN: Sure.

*Back to the other Guys walking over a Plain. There is a single Bar in the middle of nowhere visible.

ZOEY: So this whole Place is Magic?

RENE: Yeah, pretty much.

EVAN: That explains it.

RENE: I kind of hoped you would be more surprised…

FELIX: An entire Place created purely out of “Magic”.

EVAN: Can you knock it off with your Doubting Bullshit. It’s getting old. Magic is real. Deal with it.

ZOEY: Yeah! Magic is cool! Why do you have something against infinite possibilities?

FELIX: Alright. Sorry. Anyway, Rene. You can only shoot Lasers from your Hands?

RENE: Uh. Yeah, basically.

FELIX: That doesn’t seem right.

RENE: I would think that I know more about my own Abilities than you.

FELIX: No. Well yes. But when I see you shoot Lasers the Area around you gets Darker, implying that you’re pulling Light from your Surroundings to shoot instead of producing it.

RENE: …And how is that any different?

ZOEY: It means you could theoretically use your Powers for different things. Like you could move the Light around you to effectively make yourself invisible.

RENE: I can?

EVAN: Or instead of a Laser cause a big Flash to Blind People. Then you don’t need to be invisible.

RENE: I guess I could try…

EVAN: Is your Boss also this simpleminded with their Power?

RENE: No. And I just never had a reason to consider changing things up. It worked out fine until now. _{And I figured they would have told me if I could do more.}

FELIX: Any Progress on your Astral Projection Zoey?

ZOEY: Sadly no.

RENE: So the small guy, I mean Felix, can go really fast?

EVAN: He can think fast at least.

RENE: What’s your special Ability then?

EVAN: Don’t have one.

RENE: I don’t believe that for a second. How can a Guy with no special Skill beat Isaac?

EVAN: Pretty easily.

RENE: No I’m serious. She hasn’t lost at anything until you showed up! It doesn’t make sense.

EVAN: Why does it matter to you whether she won a Fight or not?

RENE: I…

EVAN: The World doesn’t revolve around her, man.

RENE: …

*They arrive at the Bar.

EVAN: Maybe we can find out where we are here.

*Evan slams open the Door like a Saloon. The Bar is full of non-Humans. Ranging from vaguely Humanoid to completely Abstract. None of them bother to look at him.

*They walk over to the Barcounter and sit down. The Barkeep is an old Triclops Woman.

BARKEEP: Sup. You guys new here?

*She scans over the 4 of them until she gets to Rene.

BARKEEP: What are YOU doing here?

FELIX: I guess it makes sense that you have been here before.

RENE: I’m just Famous. What can I say?

BARKEEP: Shouldn’t you be working? Are you goofing off? That’s unlike you.

ZOEY: Famous seems like the wrong word.

BARKEEP: Why are you hanging around with the New Blood?

FELIX: We are Searching for Info.

BARKEEP: On how you died? Pretty traumatizing, yeah. Don’t worry about it too much though. It happens to everyone.

FELIX: I- What? But- We didn’t die.

EVAN: Well, I did. They didn’t.

FELIX: We came here to ask about what happened- *Evan elbows Felix

EVAN: (Not yet. Too suspicious.)

FELIX: Uh…

ZOEY: I’m sorry, but where exactly are we?

*The Barkeep looks around the Room. There are a few Eyes on them now.

BARKEEP: This is. The Afterlife. The Grim Reaper brought you here. Right?

EVAN: Is that what’s supposed to happen? Cause I know someone that had a very different experience.

FELIX: Yeah, Rene brought us here.

EVAN: _{Not what I meant} And if it’s the Afterlife then why is the Grass made of Hair?

*She leans towards Rene

BARKEEP: (Rene what did you do?)

RENE: (Shhh. I got it all under Control. Don’t worry.)

FELIX: We’re here because-

EVAN: (Dude.)

FELIX: We want to know what happened to the Moon!

*The Barkeep drops the Glass she was holding in shock, shattering on the Floor. The Room goes silent. Evan puts his Head in his Hands

ZOEY: Oh gosh we’re so sorry.

FELIX: Is… is something wrong with that?

*The Barkeep jumps onto the Counter.

BARKEEP: Hey everybody! If y’all can defeat these 4 Troublemakers everyone drinks Free for the Rest of the Day!

RENE: W-w-w-wait. Not me right?

BARKEEP: Especially him!

EVAN: Oh well. Not my first Bar Fight.

*Evan and Crew are fighting the Bar Patrons. One of them gets too rough with the Bar Equipment and the Barkeep uses her third Eye to Paralyze them. Rene uses a bright Flash to Blind her before she could do the same to them. Evan clocks her with his Hammer.

*The Gang emerges Victorious.

*Switching over. Isaac is holding the Kobold by its Throat. All of them are out of Breath.

ISAAC: There. We got you. Now tell us.

KOBOLD: I-i-I don’t know!

JACKLIN: Are you serious?

KOBOLD: Well usually People just come here cause the Barkeep tells them to. Then they leave. Nobody ever told me the actual Location of the McGuffin.

*Isaac points a Knife at the Kobolds Throat.

ISAAC: And why should I believe you?

KOBOLD: Please believe me! I’m just the replacement! He’s the one that should know! *He points at Jacklin.

JACKLIN: But I don’t. I don’t have any Memories of that Guy.

LUCY: Cas we ask him?

JACKLIN: Uhhhhhh

ISAAC: Sure. Let’s give it a shot.

JACKLIN: I can’t just switch over on Command. Not that I want to!

VIVIAN: Maybe there’s a different way to access his Memories?

LUCY: Zoey said that the other Guy is the Skin, correct?

JACKLIN: Y-yeah.

KOBOLD: Wait really? Why was the Boss’s Skin lying around?

JACKLIN: That is a… very good Question. I had it since I was a Kid.

KOBOLD: _{That would be about.} Uh oh. I gotta warn the others.

*The Kobold runs off.

VIVIAN: Maybe we could drill a Hole into him and the Memory will leak out :).

JACKLIN: No thanks. Besides I already have a Hole in my Head from Yesterday.

VIVIAN: Oh really now. 😈

*Vivian leaps out of her Body and tackles Jacklin’s Head. Quickly squeezing herself through the Tiny Hole created by the other Cannibal and wedging herself between Jacklin and her Skin. Vivian stands up in Jacklin’s Body.

JACKLIN: Ok let’s see what I can find in here. There’s this Cave. Some Orange Shark Guy. Come on there has to be something Good.

*Vivian haphazardly goes through the other Jacklin’s Memories, giving no second thought of keeping them Intact. She sees one of the latest Memories of him being in a Manor. Then an Albino Lizard. And then darkness for a long, long Time. She jumps out of Jacklin’s Body.

JACKLIN: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA()=GHJGGGH!

J4CKL1N: NEVER! EVER! DO THAT AGAIN!!!

JACKLIN: Ough. My Head feel like it’s going to explode…

*Lucy gives Jacklin a Hug. The Headache disappears, along with the Hole in her Skull.

JACKLIN: Oh… Thanks.

*Vivian goes back into her own Body and sits up in an unnatural Way.

VIVIAN: Good News everyone! I found out where we need to go.

ISAAC: You know. I’m glad that you’re helping us find a way to eliminate Things like you because that was horrible to look at.

VIVIAN: You’re welcome.

LUCY: I thought it looked fun.

VIVIAN: Maybe I can do it to you later.

ISAAC: Oh no you won’t!

*They leave the Cave. All the Critters leave them alone after what they just saw. Vivian leads the way towards an unknown Destination.

*The Barkeep waked up. She is tied to a Chair in a Storage room. Evan and Gang are standing above her. Rene is leaning against a Wall.

EVAN: Good morning Moonshine. It’s Time we get some REAL Answers..

ZOEY: Should we really be doing this?

FELIX: She just tried to kill us. We can’t simply let that go.

ZOEY: Mmh.

BARKEEP: What do you want to know? The Moon, right? I don’t know.

*Evan punches her in the Jaw. She tries to use her third Eye on him, but it does nothing.

EVAN: Think you’re real fucking Funny, don’t you.

BARKEEP: Who are you anyway to ask these Questions?

FELIX: We are just some normal People looking for Answers.

BARKEEP: Somehow I don’t believe you. *She quickly glances at Rene.

EVAN: We are the ones asking Questions here!

BARKEEP: Well I can’t tell you what I don’t know.

FELIX: Then why did you Attack us?!

BARKEEP: You people are not even meant to be here. You should be back on your Backwater Planet and live your Short Lives.

ZOEY: Wait, so…

FELIX: I had a Feeling. We aren’t even on Earth anymore.

^{BARKEEP: Damn.}

_{FELIX: Come on. Keep her talking.}

EVAN: Will your Boss be mad that you’re telling us all this?

BARKEEP: …

FELIX: Tell us everything and we won’t say a word to him.

BARKEEP: Pfah! You are going to die before you will even get the Chance.

EVAN: But he won’t. *Evan points towards Rene.

*She spits at Evan.

BARKEEP: Get Bent.

EVAN: Fine. We can do this the Hard Way.

*Evan pulls out a used Spork from a Coat Pocket. He puts a Foot on her Lap. Holds her third Eye open with his Free Hand and moves the Spork ever so slowly closer.

EVAN: Last Chance to back out!

ZOEY: Evan?! You couldn’t…

EVAN: It’s her Choice. We were getting nowhere fast otherwise.

*The Spork touches her Eyelid. It makes a slight squelching Sound.

ZOEY: I… I’m going to be sick. *She runs out of the Room.

FELIX: …Wait.

*Felix grabs Evan’s Shoulder.

FELIX: This isn’t right.

EVAN: Then what is? You didn’t stop me when we tied her up.

FELIX: (There has to be a Reason why she won’t talk.)

EVAN: (Like what?):

*Felix makes a subtle Eye Movement at Rene.

FELIX: (She probably doesn’t trust him not to snitch.)

*Evan takes away the Spork and turns around.

EVAN: Hey Rene. Stop standing there like a Jackass.

RENE: Hm? *He had not taken his Eyes off the Barkeep the entire Time.

EVAN: Shouldn’t you be going after Zoey? Who knows if somebody regained Consciousness out there. She might be in Danger.

RENE: Oh crap!

*He runs out after her. Evan closes the Door and leans against it to keep it closed.

EVAN: NOW we can talk in Private.

*Several Minutes pass.

*They exit the Room with the Barkeep untied.

ZOEY: She still has her Eye?

EVAN: We found what we were looking for. There was no need.

FELIX: Evan isn’t actually the kind of Guy to gouge someone’s Eye out.

EVAN: Y-yeah… It was just a. Good Cop, Bad Cop Routine.

RENE: And how did you get the Info then?

FELIX: Well she is a Barkeep with no Connection to what we are looking for.

RENE: …I see.

EVAN: But she did tell us where all of her Bar Patrons go when they’re done drinking, to fight someone.

FELIX: And how they never return.

RENE: I see… So she didn’t say anything about…

ZOEY: About what?

RENE: Forget it.

EVAN: Oh one more thing. Barkeep?

BARKEEP: Yeah yeah. Our agreement.

*She gets up on the Counter again. The Bar is trashed. Most of the Patrons are awake again and Healing Up with Items.

BARKEEP: Hey everyone. We are no longer going to kill these Guys.

*There are many Sounds of Disappointment.

FELIX: Instead I have an Offer. Since all of us are going to the same Place anyway, we were thinking of going together and fight them as a Horde. We will have much better Chances united.

*There are some Murmurs of uncertainty.

EVAN: And you know that we are the real deal, because we beat ALL your Asses just now!

*People Nod.

GUY: But what if only one of us gets the Reward?

EVAN: Who gives a Shit! If they don’t have enough Rewards we will just make them give us More! What are they going to do? Say no? They already lost!

GUY: he’s got a Point

FELIX: Then let’s go! Follow me!

*They head off towards a familiar Mansion.

Chapter 4B

LUCY: Are we there yet?

VIVIAN: Yep.

*They look up. It is an improbably huge Mansion with unusual Geometry.

ISAAC: (Hold on…)

JACKLIN: Doesn’t look all that Threatening to be honest. Ready for Round 2 Isaac?

ISAAC: No- I mean yes- I mean

JACKLIN: Too slow!

LUCY: I’ll keep count this Time!

*Jacklin runs in with Vivian and Lucy running after.

ISAAC: Wait!

*She runs after. She catches up with them in the main Hall.

ISAAC: This isn’t some random Dungeon! This Place belongs to my Boss!

VIVIAN: Wait what?

ISAAC: So just… don’t break anything, ok?

JACKLIN: I mean. If he’s your Boss couldn’t he just give you the Treasure so you can take down the Cannibals? Feels like it’d be in their Interests too.

ISAAC: I wouldn’t be so sure about that. He’s kind of-

?: You speaking about me?

*An Albino Lizard Man appears behind Isaac out of nowhere. He seems old and frail, but he’s wearing a Pink Tank Top and Shorts.

ISAAC: Hiiiiiiii.

*Lucy hides behind Isaac.

JACKLIN: Um. Hello.

VIVIAN: What’s Crackalacking, G.

G: I was just wondering what you were doing here. I don’t remember calling you. And who are your Companions? Did you get new Followers?

ISAAC: Sure did.

*He looks them over. His expression growing more suspicious with every one.

G: My Eyesight must be getting worse. I almost believe that your brought 3 Illegals into my Home.

ISAAC: Are you sure you don’t remember them from last time? You seemed alright with them then.

G: Did I now? Well I am getting kind of forgetful lately.
I will ask Morgan about this.

ISAAC: Are you suure you should be trusting her?

G: Hmm. She has also been getting less reliable as of late, that is true, however-

*There is a sudden Commotion outside.

ISAAC: Uh oh.

*Back outside Felix and Gang and the Horde of Adventurers arrives.

RENE: *Gulp.

ZOEY: So do we just go inside?

EVAN: Only an Idiot uses the front Door. Let’s go through the Back.

FELIX: All of us?

EVAN: No. Just the 4 of us. (The rest of these Guys will go in through the front and serve as a Distraction. This will essentially give us free reign of the place.)

EVAN: Alright everyone! We will ambush them from the Back! You will fight them Upfront! This will ensure our Victory!

*They run to the other Side of the Mansion.

ZOEY: So, what will happen to them?

EVAN: Maybe they will win. But more likely they will lose and probably die.

ZOEY: That’s horrible.

RENE: Well even if we hadn’t shown up, they still would have come here. We heightened their Chances of Success in fact.

ZOEY: I guess. Let’s just go.

*The first of the Heroes breaks down the Mansion’s front Door. They Charge, screaming. Inside is Isaac’s Gang and Boss.

G: Maybe I really am forgetting things. I was sure there was no Attack scheduled today.

*The Boss steps in front of the first in Line.

GUY: Say your Prayers, God! Today is the Day you lose!

G: I don’t think so.

*Suddenly a Hole opens under the Leader’s Feet, dropping them into the Abyss.

G: Why don’t you 4 help me dispatch of these Fools.

ISAAC: S-sure thing.

VIVIAN: Aren’t we here to-

ISAAC: (Shh. This Guy has every reason to want every single one of you Dead. And he might just do that if he feels like it. So you do whatever he wants you to do. Got it?!)

LUCY: (Y-yes Sis.)

ISAAC: Good. Now let’s fight!

*Evan rattles on a Back Exit. The Door is locked.

RENE: Please tell me your grand Plan doesn’t end due to a locked Door.

EVAN: I expected a Window at least somewhere.

*He steps away from the Door to face Rene.

EVAN: We could always just blow it open.

RENE: Then what’s the point of the Distraction?

EVAN: Look you can never really know what you’re going to find. It’s best to cover all your Bases.

*Meanwhile Zoey walks towards the Door. She closes her Eyes and puts her Palm on it and pushes. She imagines her Hand go through it.
*Moments later Zoey’s Spirit Version opens the Door and steps outside

ZOEY: Oh my Gosh it worked!

RENE: Huh?

ZOEY: I think I figured out how to use my Ability!

FELIX: Really? How?

ZOEY: Ok so. I wished really hard that someone could open the Door. And it happened!

FELIX: Interesting. Can you control it Directly?

ZOEY: Um… *She looks at her alter Ego. It looks back at her.

ZOEY: I... don’t think so. I think I can kind of tell it what I want it to do, but not directly.

EVAN: A bit more like a Guardian then instead of astral Projection.

ZOEY: Guess so. Let’s go in.

*They do.

*Isaac’s Group defeats the first couple Challengers. After seeing how easily they were dispatched the Rest flee into other Sections of the Mansion.

G: It’s like an Infestation.

* The tall Tree Man in the 3-Piece Suit from last Chapter comes through one of the Doors, carrying one of the People via Telekinesis.

?: It seems like they are attempting to overwhelm us with Numbers.

G: I know, Nickel.

*Nickel makes a Fist and the Adventurer gets crushed into a fine Mist, dying instantly. Lucy and Vivian think it’s kind of cool.

NICKEL: I shall take care of them.

G: Hmm. No.

NICKEL: No?

G: It’s so rare that I ever get to actually fight these people. They haven’t posed a Challenge in Decades. Let’s use this opportunity before I turn them into Trinkets.

NICKEL: I’m sure I could deal with them much faster if-

G: Nickel. You will not touch any of these Adventurers. They are mine.

NICKEL: This is-

G: That is an Order, Nickel.

NICKEL: …

NICKEL: Understood

*Nickel Leaves. The Boss goes to the Adventurer that was just turned to Mist and grabs their Soul. He focuses on it and creates a Shape around it. Trapping it inside. He chooses a Walking Stick for this one.

*Vivian looks at Lucy, connecting the Dots. Lucy feels uneasy.

VIVIAN: (No wonder nobody ever comes back.)

JACKLIN: Do people come here often?

G: All the time. But Nickel or Grim usually take care of them before I even notice anyone was here.

VIVIAN: You must have pretty good Security then.

G: Of course I do. I made the Place.

VIVIAN: What is the Treasure anyway? Must be pretty good.

G: It’s whatever People want it to be.

LUCY: So there isn’t actually a Treasure?

ISAAC: Not here at least.

G: Don’t tell anybody though.

JACKLIN: (So you know there was nothing here? Why didn’t you say so?)

ISAAC: (Because YOU ran in before I could get a word in.)

LUCY: I think Rene still thinks the Treasure is real.

G: Yes, but that is because he is an Idiot.

*Rene sneezes.

RENE: So much Dust here.

FELIX: This Part probably doesn’t get used much.

*They are in an old Library. The Lights are dim.

ZOEY: There must be thousands of these Books. I wonder what’s in them.

EVAN: Why not take a look?

RENE: What’s the Point of reading some old Book anyway?

EVAN: What’s the matter? Are you illiterate?

RENE: What?! Of course not!

EVAN: Then let’s read.

ZOEY: Boy, where to even start.

EVAN: Why not here?

*Evan picks a random Book off the shelves and opens it at a random Page.

EVAN: … Huh.

ZOEY: What does it say?

EVAN: This is a Guide.

FELIX: For what?

EVAN: Life I guess? It details things that happened like forever ago.

FELIX: Let me see.

*Felix grabs the Book. He flips through the Pages, reading them at a speed impossible for a normal man.

FELIX: This is incredible. This could be it. *he slams it shut.

FELIX: Quick! Let’s look for the Book on 18 Years ago!

*They look at the seemingly endless Hallway with tens of thousands of Books in each Row.

EVAN: I suggest we start with the newest ones.

RENE: This is going to take forever.

FELIX: I hope the others have a better Time than us.

*Switch

G: You know. It’s a real shame that your Blonde Friend is dead.

JACKLIN: Huh?! Zoey isn’t Dead. She’s fine!

G: She is? Then why is she not with you?

ISAAC: Left her behind cause she got hurt pretty badly. *She glances at jacklin.

G: I see… My Mistake.

*Everyone pauses for a Second at that Comment.

VIVIAN: How much do you know about what Isaac is doing out there?

G: Well, I give her every Job that she has to complete. So pretty much everything.

VIVIAN: No. I mean what she’s actually doing.

G: Are you implying that she ISN’T doing what I tell her to?

ISAAC: (The Hell are you doing?!)

G: Because that’s impossible. Rene is always with her. He would tell me if she was lying. He’s loyal.

G: Speaking of, where is he?

LUCY: He’s taking care of Zoey.

G: Hm. I’m sure he is.

*Rene is glancing at Zoey. She seems petrified at what she’s seeing.

*Everybody is flipping through Books Zoey is reading the newest one. Evan the second newest and Felix is on his 30^th Book.

EVAN: It’s a bit strange. It’s a Guide but it looks like whoever wrote this went off Track completely. It’s all about Isaac too.

ZOEY: …

EVAN: Zoey are you ok?

ZOEY: This Book um, says that I was going to die? Yesterday?

EVAN: What? *Evan looks over her Shoulder to look at the Page.

ZOEY: Why does it say that I die? SHOULD I have died? Did something go wrong?

EVAN: You did almost kick the Bucket yesterday.

ZOEY: But you were there to fix me up. I don’t think Isaac could have done it by herself.

EVAN: Hmm. Hey Felix!

FELIX: Hmm? *He was completely engrossed in the Books.

FELIX: What is it?

EVAN: When did the Books start deviating from Reality?

FELIX: What do you mean? Everything seems correct in the ones I read. Let me check yours real quick.

*Felix grabs Evan’s Book and reads through it with perfect Photographic Memory, not even stopping on the Pages.

FELIX: Here. 2 Weeks ago.

EVAN: 2 Weeks? When you shot me?

ZOEY: Huh?

*Rene’s hypothetical ears perk up.

FELIX: Pretty much on the Dot. Now don’t bother me. I’m almost at 18 Years ago.

*Evan skims through everything after that Page. Vivian never revives him. Isaac never gets an Eyepatch. Lucy never escaped the golden Heart.

And it all started with Evan’s Death.

ZOEY: Rene did you know about this?

RENE: How should I? I have never been here.

ZOEY: Am I still going to Die?

EVAN: Probably not. Everything else that’s different hasn’t been corrected either.

ZOEY: Maybe it’s because they didn’t realize something was wrong.

EVAN: Well if someone tries to off you just give me the Word. I’ll come running. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.

ZOEY: Thanks Evan.

RENE: Are you seriously that important that you changed Reality?

EVAN: I died Shithead. How should I know?

FELIX: NOOOOOOOO!!!!

EVAN: I think Felix found it.

FELIX: Everything has a Name attached on who does what. EVERYTHING! EXCEPT THIS!

EVAN: Oof.

FELIX: It just mentions that somebody teleported all of the World’s Warheads into the Moon and Detonated them simultaneously.

EVAN: All of them? How?

FELIX: Well not all of them. A good Chunk was spread across Sombica. But it doesn’t mention why.

ZOEY: I think he meant how the Bombs were transported.

FELIX: Oh. Portal Key, obviously.

EVAN: So that narrows down the List to someone who A) has a Portal Key, B) Hated Sombica and C) Knew how to get into every Warhead Storage Space simultaneously.

ZOEY: That narrows it down a lot.

EVAN: Know anyone who matches that Description?

*Felix thinks so hard that Sparks come out of his Hair.

FELIX: …No. Augh! This is so frustrating. It’s so close! *Felix pockets the Book.

EVAN: Guess we will have to keep looking.

FELIX: Look where?

EVAN: Well, someone had to have written that Book. And considering how many there are I would assume that they spend a lot of time here.

RENE: Uh. Are you really sure we should keep snooping around? Don’t you think it’s a little Dangerous?

EVAN: This is the only Lead we have. Best to do it now while the Adventurers are keeping them Distracted.

*Isaac slams one of the Adventurers on the Ground and stabs him in the Stomach. There is no Blood.
It upsets her a little.

*The Boss gets off of the Phone with someone.

G: It seems like we are almost finished. There are only 5 Left inside, and one of them is badly wounded.

VIVIAN: You’re pretty good at this considering you don’t fight much.

G: Of course I am. You don’t become The Boss simply through Good Looks.

VIVIAN: Do you need to perhaps blow up a Moon to get that Rank?

G: Hm?

JACKLIN: Just a little Joke! You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you? Hypothetically!

G: Wish I knew, strange Girl. Even our Scrybe doesn’t know, but her trustworthiness only gets worse with time.

LUCY: It’s a bit strange. You know where every single Person in this Mansion is, but you don’t know something as big as that? What if he comes for you next?

G: Sadly I don’t get out much. Everything that happens on your World I am entirely at my Servants Mercy. I am working on that though. That reminds me.

G: Hey Isaac. What are you looking at?

*The Body she was looking at turned into Dust. Its Soul is now hovering above where it disappeared.

*The Boss grabs the Soul Seals it in a Bouncy Ball.

ISAAC: Can I ask? Why don’t they Bleed?

G: Because they are Souls. They are different than you and your Friends.

VIVIAN: I don’t bleed. And I’m pretty sure Isaac doesn’t either.

ISAAC: SHUT UP!!!

VIVIAN: Whoa. Calm d-

ISAAC: I’M HUMAN! I’m not a… Soul or whatever!

LUCY: Yeah! She’s a Human just like me We’re sisters after all!

G: …

VIVIAN: Then what about that Flesh wound Evan gave you? If you really are human, then there should be some Scars there. Or better yet. Use one of your Fancy Knives to cut yourself and we can test it right now!

JACKLIN: (Vivian! what has gotten into you today?)

G: Evan? Who’s Evan?

ISAAC: He’s NOBODY!

VIVIAN: Evan beat her in a Fight and she’s salty about it.

G: Isaac. Explain what this strange Girl is talking about.

ISAAC: No. I didn’t lose. I

*Jacklin grabs Vivian away from the Rest.

JACKLIN: (Hey Viv. You better not forget that she is our Ride Home.)

VIVIAN: (Hm? What? Did I say something wrong?)

JACKLIN: (Pretty much every Word in the last 5 Minutes.)

VIVIAN: (Eh. Who cares. I could kill that Guy easily if things go sour. Don’t worry about it)

*She pushes herself away from Jacklin.

G: I see how it is. Let me handle it.

*Walls spring up from the Floor, cutting off Him and Vivian from the Rest. It is completely Soundproof.

G: I propose a Deal.

VIVIAN: Huh?

G: It’s simple. It seems like Isaac has run into some rough times due to this “Evan”. I can’t say I’m terribly surprised. Now what I want you to do is to bring him to me, so that he can lose to her.

VIVIAN: …I don’t get it.

G: Listen to me well, Girl. It is very important to me that Isaac does not lose. She must always win. No. Matter. What.

VIVIAN: But why?

G: That, little Girl, is none of your Business.

VIVIAN: I’m not going to rat out my Friend for some old Fart.

G: It seems like you don’t know what Situation you are in, Girl.

*The Walls close in. Vivian feels that they are Magic. She could not Ghost herself through them easily.

G: Either you do this for me. Or I kill you.

VIVIAN: Not if I kill you first! *She grabs his Throat and squeezes. He doesn’t even flinch.

G: Go on.

*She can feel his “Flesh” sizzling slightly. However she also feels that her own Power will be spent much earlier than his. He is not just all talk. She retracts her Hand.

G: Good Girl. Someone must have cut you down real good. Kept your Sanity mostly in check at least. You could be very useful to me. As long as you cooperate.

VIVIAN: …Fine. But tell me one more thing.

G: What?

VIVIAN: Were you lying about the Moon?

G: No. I truly do not know what happened there. However, I am not complaining. It benefitted me greatly.

VIVIAN: I see. Alright. I will bring you Evan.

G: Normally I would have you sign a Contract, but Cannibals don’t think much of those, so I will say it like this. If I ever get the sense that you are attempting to Con me.

G: I will take Isaac’s Sister and throw her into the Void, where Cannibals will feast upon her for many, many Years. Frankly I don’t even know why she is here in the first place.

VIVIAN: I-I see. Completely understood, uh Sir.

G: Now be a good Girl and play along. There are 5 more Adventurers to get.

*The Walls come down. Jacklin looks about ready to pass out.

G: I have talked some sense into her. Let’s continue before Grim gets to the stragglers first.

*Switch. Our Protagonists are at a Hallway with 3 Doors in an End Path

ZOEY: Is it really a good Idea to just open every Door until we find the Author.

RENE: Definitely not.

EVAN: You have a better Idea?

*Evan opens a random Door. Grim is holding an Adventurer by his Neck directly in front of them.

EVAN: Shit!

*All of Grim’s many Eyes get Distracted and the Adventurer breaks free and runs by our Protagonists into a different Room. Zoey and Felix run after him. Evan closes the Door after them before Grim exits the Room he was in.

GRIM: What?

EVAN: Sup.

GRIM: Who are you?

EVAN: Me?

GRIM: Yes you!

EVAN: Nunya Business.

GRIM: . . .

GRIM: Rene. Who is this?

RENE: That’s Evan.

GRIM: Why is he with you? He an Adventurer?

*Grim uses one of his Tentacles to grab Evan. He misses.

EVAN: You one of those Cannibals, huh.

RENE: He um, You see he. Uh. Oh Boy.

EVAN: We’re friends.

GRIM: Are you slacking off? Again?

RENE: NO! I uh. We were just looking for Isaac. She ran off on me, you see.

GRIM: Yes. She is upstairs.

EVAN: (Wait, they’re here?)

RENE: Right. Right. Thanks man.

*Grim suddenly gets a Call.

EVAN: (Did you know Isaac is here?)

RENE: (Nope.)

GRIM: It seems the Boss does not want me to take care of the Intruders.
I trust you will do the same.

RENE: Of course. Don’t bother the Intruders.

GRIM: Fine by me. I am busy anyway.

*He opens up a Portal via a Key and leaves.

RENE: Phew.

*Evan steps into the Room Grim was in. It looks to be an Office with Monitors showing different Places around the Mansion.

EVAN: So these are you and Isaac’s Bosses huh.

*Rene closes the Door and points a Sniper Rifle directly at the Back of Evan’s Head.

RENE: Yes. And you will not tell anyone.

*Zoey and Felix run into the other Room. The Door led to a Stairway with a broken Railway. Zoey stumbled and falls down to the Floor below.

FELIX: Oh crap. Are you alright?

*The Fall wasn’t very far. The other Adventurer is there with her. Parts of his Body are missing with a strange staticy Cutoff. It is a short Missile headed Man.

ZOEY: Ow… I’m alright.

*The intended Path is very winding.

FELIX: Give me a few Minutes. I’ll be right there.

MISSILE: It’s you?

ZOEY: Oh um. Hi.

MISSILE: This is all your Fault! You tricked us!

ZOEY: What? No we didn’t. We-

MISSILE: Everyone is Dead!

*He lurches towards Zoey. She crawls back but hits a Wall.

ZOEY: We just wanted to help!

MISSILE: Showing up out of nowhere like you own the Place. I may not get the Reward, but I’ll sure as Hell make sure you won’t get it either.

*He aims a Rocket Launcher at her with his singular Arm.

ZOEY: HEEEEELP!!

*Suddenly her Spirit Guardian springs forth and stabs him in his Chest with a Rapier.

*Zoey opens her Eyes.

ZOEY: W-wait. No.

*It swings the Rapier up, splitting him in 2, killing him.

ZOEY: No!

*Felix arrives at the Bottom.

FELIX: What happened?

ZOEY: I-i-i-i-i-

*He grabs her by her shoulders.

FELIX: It’s fine. Take a Deep Breath.

*She does so.

^{ZOEY: I killed him.}

FELIX: No you did not. His Soul is right there still.

ZOEY: But I stabbed him.

FELIX: It was self Defense.

ZOEY: I couldn’t control it.

*Felix looks at the emotionless Guardian next to him.

FELIX: It had to be done.

ZOEY: But I didn’t want to-

FELIX: Then you will just have to get better at controlling it.
Now get up. We are not out of the Woods yet.

*Let’s check back with Evan and the Gun.

EVAN: So what’s this about?

RENE: What’s your End Goal?

EVAN: Find out who destroyed the Moon? We went over this.

RENE: Then why did you change Fate? HOW did you do that even?

EVAN: I have no idea what you are talking about.

RENE: Don’t lie to me! It’s your Fault that everything is going wrong lately.

*Evan turns his head to look past Rene.

EVAN: What do you think Felix?

*Rene turns around in Shock

RENE: Felix?! When did-

*No one is there. When Rene looks back Evan is pointing his Pistol right back at him.

EVAN: Gotta wake up a little earlier to get the drop on me, Bud.

RENE: This is. So annoying. It’s like you are just better at everything than me.

EVAN: Maybe try actually Learning and Training instead of pretending you already know shit.

EVAN: Anyway. How can I prove to you that I didn’t intend to fuck everything up for you? Because frankly, I don’t know why things went off script either.

RENE: Well you could… maybe uh… No I don’t think I could take that risk.

…

EVAN: Fine.

*Evan puts his gun away again.

RENE: What are you doing?

EVAN: You want things to go back to normal? First step is to kill me, right? But that will not be the end of it.

RENE: What-

EVAN: You will also need to kill Zoey. Can you do that?

RENE: Well-

EVAN: After that, probably Lucy too.

RENE: …

EVAN: Felix and Jacklin will have to be taken care of too, since they are involved now. And Good Luck dealing with Vivian. She will not be happy about what you did.

*Rene starts sweating.

RENE: What if-

EVAN: No what ifs.

RENE: …But when I do it they will see how useful I really am and will place me among their Ranks. Just like Isaac will.

EVAN: Your Bosses control everything. Including letting a Billion People die. And for what? If you could really be like them you would have killed me without second thought. Yet here we are.

*Rene starts shaking.

RENE: That’s … not true!

EVAN: You don’t really think that.

…

EVAN: Just remember. Had I killed you, you could’ve simply come back. But once you shoot me. I’m gone for good.

RENE: C-can you stop looking at me?

EVAN: No. I want you to look me in the Eyes while you do it.

…

EVAN: You know-

RENE: sHUT UP!! *He throws the Gun on the Floor and starts crying on the Floor.

RENE: I know, OK?! I know they won’t let me be one of them! But what Choice do I have?!

RENE: As soon as I stop following Orders they’ll just dispose of me.

EVAN: What’s the Point of sticking around then? Why not Leave?

RENE: They’ll find me. I know that for a fact.

EVAN: …

RENE: …Don’t tell anyone, but that’s what they did to Isaac’s Mother. They were the ones that um. “Rubbed her out”.

EVAN: Are you saying she died in the Bombing of Sombica?

RENE: Yes. They promised Isaac that she’d see her Mother again once she finished all her Jobs.

EVAN: But she never will. Because they already killed her. Everything revolves around her, huh?

RENE: It always does…

…

*Evan moves to the Door he came through.

EVAN: If anyone asks I will tell them that you put up a Good Fight.

RENE: Thanks.

*The Boss and Gang are walking along. Vivian sneakily fishes around in Isaac’s Pocket until she finds the Portal Key she had. Suddenly Vivian grabs Lucy by the wrist and Speeds ahead.

JACKLIN: Huh?!

VIVIAN: Suckerrrrrrr!

G: Seems like somebody didn’t listen. Hey you! *He looks at Jacklin.

JACKLIN: Oh! I actually don’t know them. I did not have anything to do with this! (Please don’t hurt me.)

G: Then go after them. Those two are our new Targets.

ISAAC: What! No! I refuse! I’m not hunting my Sister!

G: Her Relation to you is unimportant. She shouldn’t be here in the first place. Now go before I MAKE you go.

*Vivian tries to move as far away from The Boss as possible. Before long she runs directly into Evan, who just left the Room and is heading into the one that Zoey and Felix went into.

VIVIAN: Huh?!

*She can’t stop in Time and crashes into him. Sending him hurtling down the same Way as Zoey. When he lands on the Ground his Weight causes him to Crash through the Floor.

*The Rest of the Floor gives out too, sucking Zoey down as well. Felix backs away just in Time. The Way down goes on for way longer than the other Floors.

LUCY: Oh no! *Lucy jumps in after them, Vivian flies down right after.

FELIX: What’s going on?!

*The Rest arrive shortly after. The Boss fixes up the Floor and gently moves him and the other 2 down towards Felix.

G: You are not who we are looking for. Did you see a Black Girl and a White Girl with Horns pass through here?

*Jacklin gives him a Sign not to talk from behind him.

FELIX: No?

G: I see. We will have to-

*Nickel walks into the Room, holding Rene by the scruff of his Neck.

NICKEL: I found Rene.

*He throws him down towards them.

G: Oh right. I forgot you were missing.

RENE: I wasn’t missing. I was um- taking care of some Intruders.

NICKEL: He was crying on the Floor.

JACKLIN: Sounds like it didn’t go well…

NICKEL: Sir. Don’t you think Isaac spent enough Time here. I believe she should be going back to her Duties.

G: Hmm. You might be correct about that.

ISAAC: As long as you leave my Sister alone.

G: Where is she going next, Nickel?

NICKEL: Nix. Evil Overlord.

*He opens up a Portal.

FELIX: (Nix?!)

*Jacklin picks up Felix and runs through. Isaac and Rene walk through reluctantly. The Portal Closes.

NICKEL: Why did you not stop them from taking that Intruder with them?

G: Was that not whatshername? Blonde Human with a Book?

NICKEL: No.

G: Oh.

*Lucy lands on the Ground Floor, holding Zoey. A Crater forms from the Impact. A bit Later Vivian floats down grabbing Evan by the Leg. She drops him unceremoniously.

EVAN: Thanks.

VIVIAN: Why are you guys even here?

EVAN: What do you think? Getting Info. And we did actually.

VIVIAN: So did I _kinda.

VIVIAN: We can catch up once we are out of here though.

LUCY: Where is this anyway?

*They look around. It looks to be a Huge Basement with only Pillars holding up the Rest of the Mansion. There are several haphazardly strewn around Piles of Books.

ZOEY: I’m starting to get a Dislike for Books.

LUCY: Why? What’s wrong with them?

ZOEY: They look just like the Records we saw upstairs.

*Vivian looks into one of them.

VIVIAN: Why does this say that it’s from 5 Years in the Future.

EVAN: Wait really? Huh. They were written like Guides so…

ZOEY: Are you saying the other Books were also written before they happened?

EVAN: It would explain how you could get such basic things wrong.

*They see a Room open up close by. A book gets thrown out of it. It then closes again.

EVAN: I think we found our Author.

ZOEY: I think I’m ready to go Home by this Point. Actually I don’t think that would be safe either.

LUCY: Maybe they’ll be nice?

VIVIAN: If not I’ll just teleport us out of there.

EVAN: Surprisingly non-confrontative today Viv.

VIVIAN: Yeah… Didn’t have a Good Day today.

*They open the Door and Walk inside. An Alien looking Creature is floating inside. Tentacles in its Head are writing in several floating at the same Time. Its Huge Eyes looking at something that isn’t there. Its Hands and Feet have atrophied. It’s also wearing a Purple Dress.

LUCY: Hello.

*All the Books fall on the Floor as it snaps back in Reality.

?: How many Times do I have to tell you not to bother me while I-

*It looks at our Group.

?: Oh my! Unexpected Visitors! Greetings.

VIVIAN: You must be Morgan, correct?

MORGAN: How rude. You know who I am, but I don’t know you.

ZOEY: Hi. I’m Zoey. You do know me actually. I work for the Boss. And these are Lucy, Evan and uh…

VIVIAN: Vivian.

MORGAN: Oh right. Zoey. Shouldn’t you be in a shallow Grave right about now.

*Zoey winces.

EVAN: Why would she be.

MORGAN: Because I foresaw it, silly. I’m a Seer. It’s what I do.

MORGAN: It’s also a surprise to see you again, Lucy.

EVAN: Well you might want to get your Powers checked out, because they have been pretty inaccurate.

MORGAN: Well. I guess you have a Point there. Someone must not be following my Instructions correctly.
Is that the only reason you came here though? To tell me my I’m doing a bad Job?

VIVIAN: Well.

EVAN: No. There was one other thing. You know about the Moon explosion, right?

MORGAN: How could I not?

VIVIAN: Not even the Boss knows who did it.

EVAN: Yeah, but she literally wrote a Book ahead of Time where it happens. She is a Seer. She MUST know.

MORGAN: …

*Morgan just sits here, seemingly very amused.

MORGAN: Heh.

LUCY: Heh?

MORGAN: Wouldn’t you like to know. Who do you think you are to ask Questions like that.

EVAN: Well apparently SOMEONE thinks I’m important. Your Predictions started being off when I died and came back.

MORGAN: Your Name was Evan, correct?

EVAN: Yes?

MORGAN: Evan, Evan, Evan…
Nope. Nothing comes to mind. You are entirely meaningless to the Tale I’m telling.

VIVIAN: You don’t get to say that to him!

MORGAN: Vivian, yes?

VIVIAN: …

MORGAN: You were meant to die in the same Explosion that Lucy died in.

LUCY: I’m right here though!

MORGAN: None of you should be alive. That’s a funny coincidence, isn’t it?

VIVIAN: (I think it’s time to Dip.)

EVAN: (Agreed.)

*A Tentacle slams the Door shut behind them. Vivian takes out the Portal Key. Another Tentacle snaps it out of her Hand.

MORGAN: Sorry. Can’t exactly let some unripened Corpses Walk around freely. I will give you credit though. Your interference has made this whole Deal a lot more interesting.

VIVIAN: You’re going to kill us?

LUCY: We won’t cause Problems we promise!

*Evan puts his Hand in his Coat.

MORGAN: Sadly I don’t believe that. But no. If I was to fight you directly, I would almost certainly lose. I have better ways of Dealing with People.

ZOEY: Then what are you-

*She opens a Portal directly under the Gang’s Feet, causing them to Fall down into it.

MORGAN: Something has caused Fate to change? Time for a change of plans then.

End of Chapter 4