Coppermane was at the hospital early the next morning. He had gotten up earlier than usual in order to pick up the items Toxigo needed. Or at least, he salvaged what he could from the smoldering remains of his burned down dojo.

Luckily, he found what he needed to find, and was at the hospital in a flash.

“I’m here to visit a Toxigo Paralysis?” Coppermane asked the person at the front desk.

“Ah yes, they told me you would be coming. Go right on up.”

Coppermane walked up to the floor Toxigo was on, and found his doctor standing outside the room

“Hello,” Coppermane said. “I’m here to pick up Toxigo.”

“Ah good,” the doctor said. “You should be able to take him soon.”

“Perfect,” Coppermane said. “Oh, and I have some things here that he wanted me to bring. Can I give it to him?”

“Well, I suggest you do it now,” the doctor said. “He’s on his third shower.”

“Third shower?” Coppermane asked.

“He said he smells like blood and bugs,” the doctor said. “I asked him if that was true, but all he said was that he wanted to stay clean.”

“Alright then,” Coppermane said. He entered the room, and immediately noticed the shredded up clothes on the bed. No wonder he wanted fresh clothes.

A door opened, and Coppermane saw Toxigo walk out in a bathrobe while drying his hair. He made eye contact with Coppermane, and froze.

“Um… good morning,” Toxigo said. “Coppermane, I presume?”

“Y-Yep,” Coppermane said. “Morning.”

Toxigo blinked, and focused his vision on Coppermane.

“Huh, you’re actually not that bad looking,” Toxigo said.

Coppermane gave him a quizzical look. “Um… th-thanks?”

“Sorry for stepping out in a robe. I didn’t have anything else to wear, and those shredded up things are too uncomfortable,” Toxigo said.

“Well, it's better than you walking out naked.” Coppermane chuckled. “I did manage to get some clothes for you. And I got your toothbrush and toothpaste.”

Toxigo grabbed them into his hands and grinned. “Thanks. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to suit up.” He walked into the bathroom with his clothes.

“So, I take it you’re able to see to see again?” Coppermane said through the bathroom door.

“Yep,” Toxigo said. “Feels great.” He stepped out of the bathroom in his fresh clothes that Coppermane brought. “Ah… much better. So, where to next? I think before we do anything we should go back to my place. I’ll probably need to throw out everything in the fridge. Maybe toss the fridge itself depending on how bad it is…”

“Yeah… um… about that…” Coppermane said.

“What?” Toxigo asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Um… well… there’s not much left of it,” Coppermane said. “It’s just ashes now.”

Toxigo’s eyes went wide.

“We’re definitely going there first,” Toxigo said.

They arrived at the scene, and Toxigo was beside himself. His home was nothing but smoldering, charred ashes. It was all gone.

He slowly walked forward looking down the rubbled mess, all the while more parts began decaying. He walked over to a pile of rubble, and felt his blood start to boil.

“ARRGGHH!!!” he screamed, kicking the ashes into the air. His fists were shaking. His entire home was gone. He was about to kick one of the smoldering wood planks to dust, until he noticed something foreign. A small, metallic star in the debris. He bent down and picked it up. “I don’t own any belt buckle like this. But… it looks familiar…”

Coppermane walked up behind Toxigo to take a look.

“Huh… it does look familiar,” Coppermane said.

Coppermane and Toxigo were silent for a moment, before they both had an epiphany. The only person they knew who had stars on their belt.

“Neon Lights,” they said in unison.

Toxigo dropped the star onto the ground and surveyed the damage again.

“Tox? You okay?” Coppermane asked.

Toxigo sighed, and collapsed onto his knees. “No…”

“I’m really sorry, man,” Coppermane said.

Toxigo clenched his fists. “Why does it have to be like this? I never thought Neon would stoop so low as to burn down my house. Now where will I go?”

“Hey, how about this,” Coppermane said. “Why don’t you come stay with me until you find somewhere else to go.”

Toxigo sighed. “I suppose. You don’t have to, y’know.”

“It’s fine,” Coppermane said. “Only temporary, but it’ll do for now, right?”

Toxigo nodded. “Thanks a lot, Coppermane. Do you think you could help me salvage anything that survived? There might be something useful in this mess.”

“Gladly.” Coppermane replied.

Back at Coppermane’s home, he helped Toxigo get everything they salvaged inside.

“A few clothes and my laptop,” Toxigo said. “At least not everything was burned. Something’s weird, though.”

“What?” Coppermane asked.

“It seemed like all the weapons we found were… lacking. It’s just kind of weird,” Toxigo said.

“We’ve still got the other weapons right?” Coppermane said.

“Well, let’s see,” Toxigo said. “We’ve got 4 pulse rifles with 99 rounds in each. Two heavy light cannons, 5 mini light cannons, and we’ve got 3 smart guns. Not ideal. However, there is some good news.”

Toxigo opened up another box, revealing more light cannons, similar in shape to the heavier ones. However, instead of four barrel, it had one. It also had only one handle, with a red button near the top to pull the trigger.

“We’ve got plenty, of these medium-sized, light cannons.”

Coppermane’s curiosity spiked, making him examine one of the guns. “Huh, I half expected it to be heavier.”

“Well that’s why it's medium sized. The heavy ones actually require both a strap and two handles.” Toxigo replied, and he opened up another box pulling out more contents. “And I’ve still got plenty of blueprints for other weapons I can make, as well as spare parts and prosthetics to replace the limbs I lost.” Tox finished. “It's still not a good amount, though. Especially if their hands are on them.”

Toxigo put the weapons back in the box and locked them up tight.

“By the way, Coppermane. Just letting you know, if the cops ever come around questioning why we have these, it's all on me. What I’ve made isn’t 100 percent legal, and I’m responsible for making these things, you shouldn’t be taking the blame.” Toxigo said.

“Okay,” Coppermane said. “So… what do you want to do now? Or is there something you need to do?”

“Well, wanna just hang out?” Toxigo said. “I could use a day to just relax.”

“Sounds good to me,” Coppermane said. “Where do you want to go?”

“How about the mall?” Toxigo said.

“Um… are you sure that’s the best idea?” Coppermane asked. “We might run into people we know there.”

“True, but I need to get some stuff,” Toxigo said. “Actually…”

Toxigo opened up another box and pulled out a strange looking costume. It’s shirt had a graphic of a skeletal rib cage, it had arm stockings with skeleton graphics, a skeleton mask, a black long coat, and a hat.

“I already got my disguise. What do you think?” Toxigo asked.

“Looks good to me,” Coppermane said. “Let’s go.”

“So, where are we going again?” Toxigo asked.

“Well, you said you wanted to get some sunglasses to cover your eyes, right?” Coppermane asked.

“Oh yeah, right,” Toxigo said. “I have a feeling my eyes would scare people.”

“But you got a skin-tight mask covering your entire head, and a skeleton mask covering it.” Coppermane said.

“True, but I can’t wear it all the time,” Toxigo said.

Coppermane and Toxigo made their way to a stand near a store and found a display holder which held many different sunglasses. Soon both Toxigo and Coppermane began trying on different shades.

“Huh… These are actually pretty cool.” Coppermane said looking into a mirror.

Coppermane then looked back at Tox judging another pair.

“Ugh, none of these are good.”

“Is there a specific one you’re looking for?”

Toxigo nodded. “Neon Lights’.”

Coppermane’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“Because he’s the reason why my eyes look the way they do,” Toxigo said. “I could at least claim a trophy for what he did. Besides, I’ll admit that they actually look kinda good.”

Coppermane just shrugged.

“Also, if we ever run into him in this place, please try and hold me back because I’ll probably try to hurt him. Or worse, kill him.”

“Don’t worry,” Coppermane said. “I’ll have some things to say to him as well. So, is there any place you’d like to stop at first?” Coppermane asked.

“Actually, there is something,” Toxigo said. “I want to get something for Shimmercakes. Just to thank her for everything she’s done for me. But what?”

“Why not win her a stuffed animal from the arcade?” Coppermane suggested, gesturing to the arcade.

Toxigo thought for a moment. “Would that really work?”

“Worked for Fluttershy,” Coppermane said. “It’s not anything big, but it’s the little things that let them know you really care.”

Toxigo grinned under the mask. “That’s good enough for me. I think I know exactly what I’m going to get her.”

They entered the arcade, and Toxigo froze when he noticed a few CHS students inside.

“Crap,” Toxigo said. “What if they figure out it’s me? They’ll tell everyone, and then we’re all screwed.”

“Tox, don’t worry,” Coppermane said. “You’re in costume. It’s fine.”

“Okay, but I’ll have to be careful,” Toxigo said. “Now… um… what should I play? I’ve never played any of these before.”

Coppermane grinned. “Follow me.”

Coppermane led Toxigo to a skeeball game in the corner of the arcade.

“This looks easy. I had to play a lot of basketball back at Crystal Prep.” Toxigo replied.

“Maybe I can win another stuffed animal for Fluttershy,” Coppermane said.

They began playing the game, but unfortunately, their voice attracted attention. Two of them in particular. One belonged to a girl with indigo hair and white skin, and the other belonged to one with rainbow hair.

“Come on!” Toxigo complained. “I almost made it! I just need a few more tickets!”

Coppermane pat Toxigo’s shoulder. “It's okay. We can try another game.”

They turned around, and were face to face with two familiar girls.

“Hey Coppermane, how are you doing?” Rainbow asked.

“Oh… crap,” Toxigo said, muffled under the mask.

“Rainbow! Rarity!” Coppermane said. “Um… h-hi… wh-what are you doing here?”

“Just killing time,” Rainbow replied. Her face turned curious. “Um… who’s he?”

Toxigo’s heart dropped. He just stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do.

“Him?” Coppermane stammered. “Oh, he’s just… a new friend. I-I met him the other day and we decided to hang out here.” He didn’t even realize he was rubbing his neck and looking away.

“Coppermane, darling, is something wrong?” Rarity asked. “You look… troubled.”

“Is your friend wearing a mask?” Rainbow asked.

Toxigo panicked and stumbled back, and Rainbow unfortunately followed him, pinning him against the wall.

“Rainbow, what are you doing?” Coppermane said.

“Your friend just seems… sketchy,” Rainbow said.

“Rainbow… I think you’re making him uncomfortable,” Coppermane said.

“Why is he wearing a mask?” Rarity asked. “And that outfit is just a tad… severe.”

“Girls, please,” Coppermane said. “Is it really that important?”

“Coppermane, darling, you seem nervous about something,” Rarity said.

“Like you’re hiding something,” Rainbow said. “And I think this mask might have something to do with it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Coppermane shrugged.

Rainbow inched closer to Toxigo. “Why are you wearing a mask, huh? Tell us!”

“Because he’s trying to protect me!” Toxigo shouted.

Rarity and Rainbow went bug-eyed, their jaws dropping.

“That voice…” Rarity said. “Is it really?”

“No… it can’t be,” Rainbow said. “That’s impossible.”

“Look, I’ll take the mask off if we go to somewhere more private,” Toxigo said. “Deal?”

“How do we know we can trust you?” Rainbow asked.

“You can,” Coppermane said. “He’s cool.”

Rainbow and Rarity looked at each other and shared quizzical looks. If Coppermane trusted him, then he must be clean.

“Alright,” Rarity said.

“Don’t try anything, though,” Rainbow said.

Rainbow let him go, and they began walking off. They found a little alcove with low traffic that would be safe.

“Alright, are you ready?” Toxigo asked.

Rarity and Rainbow nodded. Once they did, Toxigo began unveiling his face. He dropped the hat to the ground, he pulled the skeleton face off, and pulled the skin tight head mask off revealing his wacky Vinyl Scratch styled hair.

The girls’ eyes went wide, and their jaws practically hit the floor.

“Darling….” Rarity said.

Toxigo opened his mismatched colored eyes and looked right at them.

“H-Hey, Skittles. Rare. It's been a while…” Toxigo said.

“You… you’re alive?” Rarity stammered.

Toxigo simply nodded and looked away in shame.

“This…. is…. awesome!” Rainbow shouted.

“Toxy! This is wonderful!”

The girls lunged forward and gave Toxigo a big hug. Too big of a hug.

“G-Girls… you’re collapsing my lungs!” Tox wheezed.

The girls backed off, but remained just as excited as they were before.

“How are you still alive?!” Rainbow beckoned.

“We saw the explosion!” Rarity said.

Toxigo groaned. “Great, I have to explain this story again?”

Coppermane interrupted. “Hey, Tox, it's okay. I’ll explain everything.”

“And that’s basically it.” Coppermane replied.

The four of them were now at a different location, now sitting in a food court in a private area by themselves. And Toxigo was finally okay to keep the mask off.

“Wow… dude, I’m so sorry.” Rainbow said.

“It’s okay Rainbow. It’s not your fault.” Toxigo replied.

Rarity suddenly gasped. “I just realized! Sunset! We have to tell her immediately!”

“NO!” Toxigo shouted, followed by silence between the group. Toxigo cleared his throat and spoke quietly again. “I mean… not yet. Can you not call her right now?”

“Why shouldn’t we?” Rainbow asked. “She’s missed you so much.”

“Because I don’t know if I’m completely okay. For one thing, I have Queen Chrysalis’s blood running in my veins. I need to make sure I’m not under any spell or mind control. I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Why wouldn’t you be okay?” Rainbow asked.

Tox just glared at Rainbow, clearly unamused.

“Oh… right.”

“Nothing’s happened yet,” Toxigo said. “I don’t think that’ll be the case for long, though. I don’t want to bring any new problems to the table, especially since you seem to have enough on your plate. But enough about me. What about you girls?”

“Sunset’s been really down since you’ve been gone,” Rainbow said. “Those five Crystal Prep girls are Wondercolts now, and we’ve got a big Halloween party coming up. Other than that, not much.”

“How are the former Bolts?” Toxigo asked.

Rarity bit her lip. “It could be better. The other CHS students aren’t exactly fond of them.”

“Nobody talks to them,” Coppermane said. “They all know about what they did to you and me.”

Toxigo sighed. “I see…”

“Hey, Tox?” Rainbow asked. “If you don’t mind us asking… are you coming back to CHS?”

Toxigo nodded, making the girls smile. “Tomorrow. That is, as long as we don't want to get shot at by Neon and his henchmen.”

“Shot?” Rarity beckoned. “Darling, surely they won’t do that.”

“Don’t be too sure,” Coppermane said.. “I was attacked by Jet Set earlier, and he had one of those… light cannons with him. He was merciless with Toxigo.”

“Oh, you poor things,” Rarity cried.

“Those light cannons don’t kill, though,” Toxigo said. “They’re designed to only damage the skin, and no further. Still, most of the guns are in their possession now…”

“At least you still have the blueprints, right?” Coppermane said. “And they didn’t get all of them.”

“And now that you’re back, Tox, we might actually have a chance,” Rainbow said.

“Don’t be too sure,” Toxigo said. “I don’t have the Alicorn Amulet anymore. Without it, I’m powerless.”

“Tox, you’re not useless,” Rainbow said. “Rarity and I have seen how you work. You always know what to do and get us out of bad situations. You don’t need magic for that.”

“And you have us again, sweetheart,” Rarity said. “We won’t let any of those despicable boys hurt you.”

Toxigo gave the girls a smile, feeling more at ease. “Thanks, girls. I’ll do my best. But at the moment, I have something more important I need to do.”

“What’s that?” Rarity asked.

“I almost have enough tickets to win a teddy bear for Shimmercakes,” Toxigo said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

Toxigo got up and headed to the arcade, and the rest of them decided to follow him inside.

“C’mon… just a few more…” Toxigo whined, holding the final skeeball. “I just want to make Shimmercakes smile…”

He stood still, holding the skeeball in his hand, planning his throw with precision. This shot had to be perfect. With a deep breath, he brought his arm up behind him, and threw the ball onto the skeeball lane. With nearly flawless trajectory, it landed in the 100 cup.

Toxigo cheered as the skeeball console fed out the rest of the tickets he needed for Sunset’s new teddy bear. He walked up to the counter with his tickets, and picked out the biggest one he could afford.

“Perfect,” Toxigo said.

“Sunset will love this!” Rarity said.

“I hope,” Toxigo said. “Hey, Rarity. Are you good with jewelry?”

“I know a thing or two,” Rarity said. “Why, sweetie?”

“I was hoping I could give Sunset a necklace too,” Toxigo said. “I was thinking an aquamarine necklace to match her eyes. Think you could help me?”

“I would love to help,” Rarity said.

“Sweet. Now I—” Toxigo’s heart dropped. “Crap! Don’t look!”

“What?” Rainbow asked, turning her head “What’s going—”

“Don’t look!” Toxigo said, making sure they were all huddled together.

“What’s going on?” Coppermane asked.

“Neon Lights… he’s here,” Toxigo said.

“Oh no…” Coppermane groaned.

“What do we do?” Rainbow asked.

“What do you think?” Toxigo said. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“No arguments here,” Coppermane said.

Without wasting another second, the four attempted to sneak off away from Neon and his gang. They managed to find a way through another store to get around Neon and sneak out to the entrance. To be safe, they walked a little ways away from the entrance in case they got spotted. After a while, they turned around and saw that nobody had followed them.

“That was close,” Coppermane said.

“I suppose this place isn’t safe for us anymore,” Rarity said. “Pity. I was hoping we could find some clothes for you, Rainbow.”

“Maybe some other time,” Rainbow said. “But I guess if we have nothing else to do, we could meet up with the others and work on homework or something.”

Rarity sighed. “I guess it couldn’t hurt. Would you boys like to join us?”

“I probably shouldn’t leave Toxigo alone,” Coppermane said. “I’ll do whatever he does.”

“Let’s just go home,” Toxigo said. “We’ll be safest there.”

“You sure you can make it back?” Rainbow asked.

“As long as we don’t attract any attention, we should be fine,” Toxigo said.

“Alright. Stay safe you two.” Rarity said.

“We will,” Toxigo said. “Good luck, and I’ll see you and everyone else tomorrow.”

With that, the two groups split up, leaving Toxigo and Coppermane alone. They walked back to their car to go home, and not risk being seen by Neon or anyone else.

Toxigo and Coppermane sat across from each other in their home, eating dinner in relative silence. Mostly because they were processing everything that happened today.

“Hey, Tox. Can I ask you something?” Coppermane asked.

“Sure,” Toxigo said. “What’s up?”

“I just remember Jet Set saying something really strange when he attacked us,” Coppermane said. “He said he was friends with you, or something.”

Coppermane saw Toxigo’s eye go wide, and sit completely still.

“Toxigo? You alright?” Coppermane asked. “Did I say something?”

Toxigo sighed heavily, almost shakily.

“No, you’re fine,” Toxigo said.

“Do you know why Jet would say that?” Coppermane asked. “He has to be full of crap. Right?”

Toxigo bit his lip. “Well…”

“Wait… were you really…?”

“...friends with him?” Toxigo finished. “It pains me to say it but… yes. Jet Set, Trenderhoof, Royal Pin, Suri Polomare, Fleur Dis Lee, and even Neon Lights. We were all friends at one point way back when I was at Crystal Prep.”

Coppermane pursed his lips. “Wow. Well, why do they hate you so much now?”

Toxigo clenched his fists, biting his lip hard. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

“It can’t be that bad,” Coppermane coaxed. “Right?”

“I said I don’t want to talk about it!” Toxigo snapped, slamming his hand on the table. He noticed Coppermane’s shocked face, and took a deep breath to calm himself down. “Sorry. I-I didn’t mean to snap like that. It’s just… it’s a sensitive topic for me.”

Coppermane bit his lip. “I see. Sorry for triggering you.”

“No worries,” Toxigo said. “You didn’t know. I shouldn’t have snapped. But… why does he go after you? What’s his problem with you?”

“I have no idea,” Coppermane said, sighing. “I wish I knew. I mean, he bullied me a lot in the past, and I lashed out one day and beat him up in front of everyone. I regret that every day. I guess he’s been hell-bent on ruining my life since then.”

“So… pretty much just to be a prick?” Toxigo said.

“There’s probably more to it,” Coppermane said. “I just wish he wouldn’t try to hurt Fluttershy. I wish I could date her without putting her in danger.”

“Hey, Coppermane?” Toxigo said. “Can we maybe… change the subject? I’d rather not worry about Neon if we don’t have to.”

“Oh, yeah of course,” Coppermane said.

Suddenly, Coppermane’s phone buzzed. He opened up his phone, and Toxigo chuckled when he saw a big smile appear on his face.

“Who texted you?” Toxigo asked.

“Fluttershy,” Coppermane said. “She just sent me an ‘I love you’ text with a picture of her blowing a kiss.”

Toxigo chuckled. “She’s a sweetheart.”

“The sweetest sweetheart in the world,” Coppermane said. “We send each other ‘I love you’ texts randomly all the time.”

“That’s really nice,” Toxigo said.

Coppermane texted Fluttershy back, saying he loves her too, and put his phone back down.

“She’s the best,” Coppermane said. “Oh, that reminds me. Anything planned for Sunset now that you’re back?”

Toxigo smiled at the thought of Sunset.

“I did have a few things in mind,” Toxigo said. “Mostly I just want to spend time with her. I never got a chance to cuddle with her. Heck, I never even asked her out. Didn’t you say there’s a Halloween Ball coming up?”

Coppermane nodded. “Maybe you can ask her out to that?”

“You know what? I think I will,” Toxigo said.

“Do you know what you’re go as?” Coppermane asked.

Toxigo bit his lip. “I’m actually not sure. Admittedly, I’ve never actually been to a real Halloween party before. I’ve heard what they’re about, but I think I may have a distorted view from the Crystal Prep parties. They throw poor excuses for parties over there.”

“Because they don’t have Pinkie Pie,” Coppermane said.

Toxigo chuckled. “I just don’t know what I should go as. I don’t want to look stupid. I mean, I just don’t know what to do.”

“What do you mean?” Coppermane asked.

“Well… when you guys do Halloween, what do you do?” Toxigo asked.

“I don’t know about everyone else, but I know what I do,” Coppermane said. “I go full-on geek. It’s really all based on personal preference.”

“I see... “ Toxigo said. “Well, that’s not my focus now. I need to ask Sunset to the dance first before I do anything. I just don’t know how, though. The moment needs to be perfect.”

“I’m sure it will come eventually.” Coppermane replied.

“I guess you’re right,” Toxigo said. “But… what if Sunset doesn’t want to talk to me?”

“What do you mean?” Coppermane asked. “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you.”

“But I abandoned her,” Toxigo said. “Or what if Chrysalis gets to me. What if I hurt her?”

“Tox, don’t worry,” Coppermane said. “If she’s still mad, just explain what happened. If she really cares about you, she’ll understand.”

Toxigo sighed. “I just hope I haven’t completely lost her.”

“It’ll be fine,” Coppermane said.

“I hope you’re right, Coppermane,” Toxigo said.

With that, Toxigo and Coppermane continued eating and chatting the night away.

Toxigo found himself in the void again. But it didn’t last long. Sudden heat radiated from behind him, making his body feel like night and day. He turned around, and gasped.

Canterlot High was ablaze. The structure crumbled under the roaring heat of the flames. Burned bodies were laid out across the front. Some were still alive, groaning with sheer pain as their flesh smoldered.

“No!” Toxigo cried. “How?! How did this happen?!”

An evil laugh from behind answered his question. He turned around, and was faced with bright, demonic green eyes on a chitin, equine body.

“You!” Toxigo said. “Stop this! Why? Leave me alone!”

“Why won’t you leave me alone!?”

“We are of one mind. I course through your veins. I AM you. You and me are one, Toxigo Paralysis. You can't escape me.”

Toxigo’s head suddenly began ringing, pounding against his skull. He screamed, clenching his head and falling to his knees.

“What do you want from me?” Toxigo pleaded. “Make it stop!"

Toxigo managed to open his eyes long enough to see the changeling queen lunge at him with her fangs.

“No!!! Stop!!!” Toxigo cried. The pounding… it stopped. His eyes were wide open. His heart pounded against his chest. He looked around, and realized he was at Coppermane’s still.

Tears began streaming down his face. These nightmares. They were unbearable. Chrysalis was still alive… within him. As long as he lived, she lived. They were one. She was inescapable… and hidden.

He couldn’t take this anymore.

He got out of bed and wandered downstairs to the kitchen. In the window, he could see his reflection. He looked at himself, and saw a strange green glow in his eyes, prompting him to look away immediately. A tear ran down his cheek.

He reached down and opened a drawer. “I won’t let her,” he said, retrieving something from the drawer. “You can’t have me. I won’t let you hurt my friends. I won’t let you hurt my Shimmercakes.”

Out of the drawer, he drew a sharp knife. His hands trembled as tears stained his cheek. He lifted it up, pointing the blade towards him.

“I won’t let you…”