[img=http://i.imgur.com/t9SKBzc.png] [img=http://i.imgur.com/1hqVvXi.png] Jack withdrew from Amy’s space in order to wipe his face clean with a handy handkerchief. “I am surprised, dear Amaranth. Truly surprised.” He moved onto shining his spectacles, checking between wipes for smudges. “This retaliation is not at all what I’ve expected from you.” “You fucking swine. You’re doing this to me!” Amy jerked her head in rage. “I can see through your lies, coward! These guilders – these men. I trust them. I [i]know[/i] them! They’re [b]not[/b] these horrible pigs you’re portraying them as!” As Jack replaced the glasses atop his nose, he pressed his finger against Amy’s lips to silence her, though pulled back just in time to avoid getting bitten. “On the contrary, madam, I am not the host this time. I was merely invited to the party.” He raised his hand into the air – the hand withholding one of the many red gems. Every face but Amy’s followed his movement, and the ripper's brows raised in satisfaction. “I am only here to warn you of what comes next. A warning which you know very well already, I’m sure.” Amy’s eyes narrowed. “Where are you going with this?” “One hint, dear Amaranth: true colors.” Jack laughed heartily, before turning away and bringing a bashful hand to his mouth. “I believe I’ve said too much. I shall be taking my leave now.” He snapped his fingers. All the jewels within everyone’s possession vanished with a pop – all but the one in Jack’s hand. “Best of luck, my dear. I’m sure we will meet again.” As Jack chucked the tainted gem skyward, he dissipated into a black vapor. All the men in the blinding white room watched the rising crimson with awe. Once it reached its peak and began to drop, each and every one scrambled to catch it. Now freed, Amy could only back away as she watched the chaos unravel. --- [img=http://i.imgur.com/dO6vRyy.png] Everything surrounding them had begun to fall apart, cracking open, crashing down, snapping. Many times a monitor or pod nearby Trixie suddenly burst, as if triggered by a mine, threatening to collapse atop her or shower her in shards of glass – but the silhouette tugged her away just in time. Running and running until… there it was. The open-doored exit. Fresh greens and brilliant sunshine awaited them just outside the laboratory. Close, they were so close to their escape. The duo bolted, sprinting faster than they ever had before – only to be separated as Trixie toppled over. “Ahh!” A [i]clank![/i] – a small, abandoned cage – resounded behind her, having been knocked aside by her feet. She stumbled forward, losing her grip on the figure’s hand, but it whirled around immediately and knelt in front of her. “Trixie! Are you okay? Come, the exit is right over… … I do not understand. Why are you laughing?” Trixie had begun to laugh. Laugh and laugh and laugh. Tears once again streamed from her eyes. “I’m just… hahaha! I’m so happy… I’m so happy you’re back. And look, we did it all over again – just like that. Hehe! You really are a superhero.” She proffered her hand to him. “Just… one more thing though.” The figure reached for her hand, though hesitated as she made her request. The building continued to quake. “Trixie? We don’t…” “Promise you won’t leave this time?” Suddenly the shadows dropped from the silhouetted figure, revealing his visage, his outfit, his entire self right before Trixie. He smiled warmly and reached for her hand. “I promise, Trixie.” They interlocked fingers. “I promise I will never leave you again.” CRUNCH! [b][i]“NOOOOO!!”[/i][/b] Trixie screeched. A giant mass in the shape of a boot fell from above, and crushed the boy kneeling before Trixie. Scrunched beneath the sheer titanium, the sound of his bones cracking and snapping echoed in her head. His wrist, his hand, his very fingers were still locked with Trixie’s own – amputated from the rest of his arm – until it dropped to the floor beneath. Trixie screamed and screamed until her voice grew hoarse. Her knees shuddered, wet with a cold sensation, and upon looking down she was met with a vicious stream of blood leaking from beneath the crushing mass. “No! No, please come back, please… no, no, no, please… you can’t… you can’t die… you’re not supposed to die! Superheros can’t…” Trixie raised her hands that were to the ground, shakily eying the thickening crimson liquid that outlined them. “Please, no… please…” she wheezed, rocking back and forth. “You’re not… supposed to… [i]hrk[/i]—Amy—Amy, where are you… please, save him… please…” Trixie hunched forward before falling over on her side, pulling her knees in close as she lied in a fetal position. The laboratory continued to rumble and rattle, slowly collapsing into itself as Trixie remained there, cold and laden with his blood.