Anti stared over at the beast over Mia's shoulder, a bit fear struck but tried his best to stay calm.

"Wh-what is it?" She whispered just as softly as he did but he knew that she knew they were in trouble.

"Mia . . .  You might have to give Jackie and Marvin their power"

"What's it doing?" She was too afraid to look behind her.

"Just staring. Maybe we can-"

Suddenly almost as karma, the beast roared loud and viciously, leaping towards them.

Anti stood up and shouted, "IT'S HERE!" He let loose a large amount of electricity from himself towards it making sure the others in the carriages wouldn't be effected and grabbed Mia before glitching down onto the ground.

From below, Mia could hear the creature yelp and clung onto Anti as his power created a mass power surge in the park. People from all around were shouting and screaming, pulling out their phones for flashlights and running off.

"Mia!" She could hear Henrik shouting to her, "Please! You have to-"

But she was already doing it out of her own fear and still holding onto Anti, could hear Jackie leap down with Chase and Stacey and Marvin glide gracefully with Jameson, Sean, Evelien and Felix and Marzia.

Marvin growled to himself, "What should we do? The last time I fought it, I thought I killed it but we found out maybe it can't die since it appeared after Anti AND Mia before."

Anti gently pushed Mia off of him but kept her close. He knew it might be after HER, too, "I've tried to kill it dozens of times. I don't think anything works. As much as I hate to say it, maybe we should run back home."

"That's bullshit!" Jackie huffed, "There's gotta be a way! We can't just keep running from this thing! I say we give it everything we've got and send it to hell!"

"I don't know" Sean spoke up, "You both bring up good points but either way, we gotta think fast"

Jameson pointed upwards and sighed, 'Anti's shock is wearing off of it!'

And indeed it was. The creature shook off the sparks and growled, glaring down at them. If looks could kill.

"We drove it  back last time" Chase pointed out, "Maybe that's just what we need to do again! We don't have time to run and Marvin's powers are enough, right?!"

Marvin got into a stance alongside Anti who stood in front of Mia. Jackie was already in front of the monster ready to kick its ass in front of all of them.

Sean made up his mind, "Alright! Marvin! Jackie! You two hold it off while we get everyone else out of here. Mia! Come on, let's go!"

"But . . but I can't" she finally spoke up, "If I leave for a certain distance, they're power will go away back into me!"

"That's right" Sean was regretting how he made things be for her, "Fuck"

"I'll protect her" Anti spoke softly. Everyone was surprised by his words but there wasn't enough time to argue.

"You remember it's after YOU, right?"

Anti just snarled, "We can put it on its ass for a bit just like before. Go before I change my mind, dumbass"

Sean hesitated but nodded, "Alright . . . I trust you, Anti. Protect her"

He didn't respond, letting the others run to escape.

The creature barked and growled at their sudden run but kept dark eyes on Anti and Mia.

"Come on, ya fucking shadow bastard!" Jackie yelled at it, trying to provoke it, "Come at me!"

But suddenly it vanished into thin air.

They looked around, tense and hearts racing. 

Then it appeared in midair launching itself towards Anti and Mia, jaws wide open.

"Watch out!" Marvin slammed a spell into it, throwing it into a nearby empty stand.

Jackie rushed in front of the two side by side to Marvin, "You got an attack like you did before up your sleeve, Marv?"

"Maybe but I don't know if it'll work this time. It seems adamant on killing Anti for good this time"

"Great" Anti retorted, "Maybe I SHOULD have left with the others" he glanced down at Mia, "and you, I guess"

Mia didn't know what to think. The creature was already back on its feet, stalking towards them and Marvin was right. It looked pissed.

"M-maybe I can . . . I can try and fight it?" she suggested, "It's a shadow thing, right? Maybe I can use my  . . . light or whatever it is?"

"Now's not really the time to practice something you've never trained on doing before. If you miss or mess up, then we're dead" Jackie scoffed, "No offense, Mia, but I don't think you have that skill built up yet. Especially not for battle"

"He's right, Mia" Marvin agreed, "Just sit back and stay safe."

She didn't like it. She watched as they both attacked the creature and pelted with everything they had. None of Marvin's attacks were working anymore, though, like they had before! Jackie's kicks and punches weren't really hurting it and Anti's electricity was barely stunning it anymore. It was like it was getting stronger.

'This is bad. . . . maybe I should . . . but if I DO  try, there's no guarantee it'll work. The thing is, too, I'll have to take their powers back in order to fight this thing. And as much as I hate to admit it, Jackie's right. I don't know how to fight'

Anti stepped back closer to her, "None of our attacks are working. . . . . do you really think maybe you could attack it yourself, Mia?"

"I . . . .  . . . . . .. . . I don't know"

He turned towards her and Mia was actually surprised. He looked worried.

"I think you should try"

She stared up at him. Did he really just say that? "But . . . but Jackie and Marvin-"

"Are barely holding their own. Jackie's strength isn't working against it and Marvin's starting to get tired. We don't have a lot of options, Mia, whether they like it or not-"

"ANTI, LOOK OUT!"

Anti and Mia looked over to see the large dog-like creature lunging towards them. Namely Anti.

He didn't have the time to dodge and it collided into him, knocking Mia back as well, "ANTI!"

The creature pelted Anti into the ground a few yards away, effectively knocking him unconscious. But instead of going after him again, the creature turned its head back to Mia, looking at her with a terrifying intensity.

It looked . . . . hungry? No . . . there was something else in its eyes. She could see something there.

But before she could figure it out, it lunged to attack her and her heart raced. Its teeth  were the only thing bright on its body, bright and glistening. Hungry for blood. She could feel its breathe on her face and she blanked out.

And then Jackie slammed his body into it, throwing it clear down into the beach with his immense strength.

Mia couldn't breathe and just whimpered, looking up at him, "J . . .. " she stuttered out a breathe.

Jackie knew she was panicking and couldn't just leave her like that, "Mia . . . Mia just breathe." 

But she shuddered, scared to death. Was this it for them? They couldn't really take it down!

"MIA!" he grabbed hold of her shoulders while Marvin was busy defending them against it, "Mia, I know you still hate me right now and that's okay but I changed my mind. I think Anti's right. You gotta take back this power and get rid of it yourself!"

"Wh? What?" she forced herself out of it in that moment, "Are you crazy?! I can't do that!"

"You're the one that suggested it in the first place! Mia, look, I know we're not on the best of terms right now but I sincerely believe if you're pushed enough . . . . you can fight it"

"Pushed enough?"

"Mia . . .look" she didn't even realize his hands were still on her shoulders, "Even if you hate me forever, I'll still always be there for you to protect you. I'll always be your hero how you need me to be. I'll always be by your side, okay?"

"But-"

"As your friend" 

Mia blinked, sort of surprised, still. 

"And right now I'm gonna be your friend and tell you that you can do this. Take back your power and light that bastard up"

She shook her head, "I don't think-"

"You got this"

"But you said-"

"FORGET WHAT I SAID BEFORE! That was me being dumb thinking you couldn't handle it but I know in the back of my mind, you can! Remember how you threw me into the lake? You just gotta feel that feeling again, use it and unleash it on that thing, alright?" he pointed at the creature trying to run at them but Marvin was keeping it at bay for now.

"Jackie . . . Jackie, I don't know if . .. we should just run! Marvin can teleport us back-"

Jackie shook his head, "You and I both know Marvin's used up too much energy to teleport us all back home."

Her heart raced, watching as Marvin was suddenly thrown back, his power exhausting him. He didn't have anything left. It looked as though this creature had gotten far stronger than before.

It stalked closer and closer, prideful in every step it took. It was ready to go for the kill.

"It's . . . It's not after Anti anymore" Marvin huffed, "Mia . . I think it's after you!"

All she could feel was her heart beating out of her chest. It hurt so much. She didn't want to do this. She was too scared. What if she failed? What if she couldn't fight it? What then?

The creature bolted into a run towards them and Jackie did something stupid, "TAKE IT!"

Mia could feel the rush of his power coming back to her and Marvin did the same. She felt it flowing back inside of her but along with it, she felt her own dread. This was it. They weren't giving her a choice, not that she had one to start with. This was their only option.

Everything seemed to slow down.

The creature leaped towards her, its claws sharp and ready.

Jackie and Marvin shouted for her.

It was just her and this monster.

"DO IT!"

She glanced over to see Anti trying to get up but failing. 

They locked eyes.

She felt a rush inside of her again but this time it was different.  It was like he was trying to give her the confidence and just seeing him there trying to shout for her . . . . 

"MIA, NOW!"

A change ripped through her suddenly and she felt that strength. That power.

That split second was all it took and just as quickly, she threw her hand back and punched the creature just in range, knocking it back but not enough to send it flying. The creature shook it off and tried again but she left herself go.

Anti, Jackie and Marin could just watch as she lit up and attacked the creature back. Jackie and Marvin were powerless to help and Anti was still trying to get up, his head pounding from the collision but he kept his eyes on Mia.

"You got this, lass"

Jackie felt significantly weaker and tired but watched with hope along with Marvin as she let loose.

She looked like a goddess once more.

But all that was in her head was the rage. The need to protect and defend. Her will.

This white light emitted from her like a blazing fire and the more she attacked the monster back, the more it whimpered and had less strength in it. Was her light really overpowering it?

But just as she was thinking that, it lunged again, whipping itself back into motion quickly as if to surprise her but she was ready.

She finally saw the true look in its eyes and she recognized it to its fullest.

"Dark Chica. . . . . SIT!"

It was if it had been knocked into by a car, it stopped so quickly at first. It whimpered in confusion and Mia sighed, "I thought so . . .. "

But she had to stop it here and now and lifted her hand, focusing all the power she had in it and unleashed it.

Jackie, Marvin and Anti looked on shocked.

"Did she . . " Marvin felt nauseous, he was so wiped, "Did she kill it?"

When the light faded, though, another creature took its place and Mia was leaning down next to it.

Jackie sighed, "Shit . . . . it really was  . . "

Anti didn't have good memories anyway but did feel a bit bad seeing it crying on the ground scared and so pathetic. Shaking.

The light from Mia faded and she felt tears crawl down her cheeks, "I thought . ..  I hoped it wasn't . . ..  Dark Chica . . . what did he do to you?"

The poor dog, finally freed from her master's aura whined and crawled to her, afraid she'd get hit or worse but she did remember Mia.

Mia fell onto her knees and hugged the dog, "It's okay, girl . . . you're safe now, sweety"

The Chica look-alike leaned into her and started to calm down.

Jackie, Marvin and Anti came closer to inspect the situation but it wasn't good. Neither was the implication.

"Dark really was behind it, then" Marvin deduced, "But why go after Anti and THEN Mia all of a sudden?"

"It's weird" Jackie nodded, "But maybe not too weird. At least we know the culprit and now the 'creature' is dealt with thanks to Mia"

"Yeah" Anti agreed, "Can't believe it's been her all along. I had thoughts but I wasn't sure. I didn't think that . ..  I didn't think Dark would stoop to using his dog like this"

A few moments of silence went by until Mia finally pulled away from the dog who was now licking her face happily, "It'll be okay, Dark Chica . . . Everything's okay now"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that" a new voice echoed around them.

Dark Chica growled and whimpered, raising her haunches towards the man, ready to defend Mia.

The man sneered, "Worthless mutt" he waved his hand and she was swat aside, knocked unconscious.

"Dark Chica!" Mia cried out but glared with a new rage towards the attacker, her light flowing back around her again ready for a new fight.

"Uh-uh" he chuckled, "How about we take this elsewhere, Mia? Anti? I think we three have something very important to talk about"

And just like that without their compliance, they just . . disappeared.

Leaving Jackie and Marvin alone together with an unconscious dog in the amusement park.

Marvin glanced to Jackie, "This isn't good. We gotta get back home fast and NOW"

Mia opened her eyes to see  . . .snow? Looking around more, she saw a cabin and her heart fell. This was all too real and her heart was breaking with every second going by.

Anti stood in front of her facing the man, sparking and glitching ready for anything.

But Dark just smiled. He looked a bit different, though and they couldn't place as to why.

"Now we can finally have a chat. Alone together. With the truth finally out in the open." he laughed to himself, "It's finally time"