...

Scar winced, the light almost blinding compared to that mindscape he's been in.

Wait.

He squinted, making out a few figures standing over him. Cub, Zed, and Stress.

"Scar, can you hear us?"

Oh yeah, Stress was speaking.

Scar managed a weak reply, feeling seeping back into his bones. A dull ache resided in every cell of his body, giving him a minor headache and leaving him exhausted.

Cub helped sit him up, Zed supporting his other side as they moved him off the floor and onto a bed.

"Wh-what happened?" Scar asked, his voice slurring a bit from fatigue.

"Our theory is that there's a virus of some sort that only affects alter egos, and it's spreading."

Scar bit his lip. "That's what I, Wels, and Ren figured. We were stuck in an unfamiliar mindscape, and the only reason we were able to escape was because Wels was able to lead us to the Hels dimension."

"And you were able to work with Badtimes and the vex, right?" Cub asked. "The vex had given me a tip which was why I was able to pull you back into control of your own body. Speaking of..."

Scar sighed. "Wizard Scar is recovering in my mindscape, as far as I know, it seems like this virus or corruption or whatever has completely left me. Did Xisuma figure anything out?"

Guilty and nervous looks met him from around the room.

Grumbot was the only one who dared break the bad news. "WHEN CUB SAVED YOU, THE INFECTION TOOK OVER XISUMA."

"Wh-What!?"

"Remember guys, we had no way of knowing that could happen. What we need to figure out how how to reverse it." Joe spoke quickly and confidently. "Xisuma has a Hels counterpart, we all know that. Perhaps we could try to contact him."

Grumbot then perked up. "WAIT, WHEN I WAS FIRST ACTIVATED, I ENDED UP BEING CALL BUDDIES WITH ANOTHER ROBOT WHO ASKED ME TO TELL EGG-SUMA THAT HIS BROTHER WAS RETURNING. IS THIS THE HELS COUNTERPART YOU ARE TALING ABOUT?"

Joe nodded.

Grumbot paused. "I MAY STILL BE ABLE TO CONTACT THE ROBOT. HANG ON."

Quiet suspense rippled through the group as Grumbot's eyes briefly turned blue.

"WAIT- LOW BATTERY."

Mumbo let out an exasperated chuckle, handing Grumbot a few diamonds.

Grumbot quickly recharged, resuming the task.

"RH, ARE YOU THERE?"

...

"IS RED X WITH YOU STILL?"

...

"COMPLICATED? YOU SOUND DIFFERENT, IS EVERYTHING ALRIGHT?"

...

...

...

"I SEE. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TAKE A MESSAGE?"

...

"OKAY. BYE."

Grumbot turned to the group.

"RED X WILL RETURN... THERE'S JUST SOME COMPLICATIONS."

___________________

Npg sighed.

Have you figured it out yet?

I haven't been in a mindscape for a long while, okay?

Neither have I. Got any information?

I can sense them now, I just need a little more time.

That's not something we have a lot of. Xisuma's been corrupted.

Oh for the sake of-

Npg groaned.

This is giving me a headache.

______________________

Grian panicked as he darted out of the house, frost already spreading around his feet.

The moment Grian had taken a step towards the exit, Sam had been on his feet with a knife in his hand.

Now, Grian and Taurtis were booking it to where the server island was. Anxiety shot through him, making him stumble. What if the thorny roots make him or Taurtis trip? What if that game Sam enough time to catch up? What if-

"Grian, it's now or never!"

Taurtis' shout tore him away from the thoughts. Grian dropped his glamour, unfurling his wings and grabbing Taurtis.

With a strong flap of his wings, Grian was soaring towards the server island, landing swiftly on the top. Sam hadn't repaired the hole Grian had previously made, making is easy for him and Taurtis to drop down.

They leaped though the portal just as Sam appeared on the island.

________________________

It was dark.

Too dark.

He'd woken up somewhere other than that end city.

Just bedrock below him, and an endless expanse of darkness.

It was cold too.

And empty.

Something felt wrong.

Panic bubbled in his chest as he looked down at himself.

What did he... Why was he...

"Hey."

He looked up. Someone was standing in front of him. He looked very similar, despite being much taller. They spoke calmly, only a small edge of fear in their voice.

"My name is Robot Grian. I see you've met my same fate."