Sean reread the words on the parchment. He'd never heard of the Stone of evil before, so this was all new to him. Underneath the words, he saw a step-by-step explanation about the stone.

To retrieve what has been lost, they must repay a debt, the destruction of the stone one must find, the large caverns of the cavernous location. Strengthen your hand in all that you must do to keep this evil from spreading. Sean reread the lines but had a hard time figuring out what the words were discussing. He looked toward Thomas for help, who was still reading the map.

"The Stone of Evil?" Sean asked. "What's that? And what do these lines even mean?" when Thomas didn't answer, Sean cleared his throat expecting him to respond.

"I can't believe this is the map." he said instead.

"Hello? Thomas? Are you going to tell me?" Sean insisted. Thomas sighed and stood, sliding the paper over to him.

"Mark was not always like this," Thomas said simply. "When we were younger, we'd been close," he continued. "But the minute we found the stone, things went to shit."

Mark and Thomas were playing tag, running through the forest and avoiding trees. However, Thomas had a hard time keeping up with his little brother. Anytime he would see him, Mark would vanish. Not taking his chances, Thomas took off and raced through the forest until he ran into his brother. Before them stood the mouth of the cave. There was a never ending darkness that presided over the entrance, but there was also something evil, Thomas could sense it. They stared at the cave out of curiosity. However, rather than turning around and going back to their home, Mark started walking in. Thomas' stomach dropped in worry as he followed his brother. They stepped into the cave and torches came on lining the walls and leading deeper in.

"I don't think we should be here." Thomas said. "Mark, please touch nothing." Mark ignored him and they continued on in their journey until they reached a large cavern. Sitting on the pedestal, they saw an emerald necklace. Thomas looked around at the words when he heard a noise. He turned to find that his brother was reaching to touch the necklace. "Mark! Stop!" a large green light appeared from the necklace, causing them to fly back and hit a wall. Thomas got the remnants of the blast, but because of his brother being within range, he had the full blast of it. Racing over to his brother's side, he saw Mark lying unconscious. Doing his best, Mark brought his little brother back home and safely away from the threatening walls of the cave.

Sean had been listening to the story and felt for the guy. Mark had known none better, but now because of that happening, Mark had become a nasty president and somehow created a world with no color practically over night. He thought about it and how it could have been possible when something came to him.

"Thomas? After Mark woke up, how did he act?" Sean asked. Thomas thought back to it and his eyes grew wide. "What?"

"When Mark woke, it seemed like he was warping reality," Thomas said. "As for the stone, it's pure evil. Once someone touches it, then everything good or remotely good is taken and stored in the stone," he continued. "It then becomes replaced with something more evil and darker." Sean understood the realities. He was fighting against a dark energy that emerged from the emerald. If he could take that emerald and bring it back, maybe he might stop Mark and save his whole city. Even though he was dead set on retrieving it he just didn't know how to keep it from turning him evil. Thomas seemed to figure out what Sean was talking about. He walked over to a drawer and pulled out a golden medallion with a woman in the center and pointing to the right. Sean reached over and politely took it.

"What is this?" Sean asked.

"The Saint Benedict Medallion," Thomas answered. "It'll ward off evil and protect you from the necklace's powers," he kept going. "You'll be able to take the neckalce without falling victim to it." Sean nodded and placed it around his neck. Finding the necklace was the first step to saving everyone. Thomas walked over to the window and peeked outside, quickly he closed the blinds and turned toward Sean. "You need to go now," Thomas forced Sean to his feet and dragged him toward the back door. "Use the maps, it'll take you to the cave and help you find that necklace." Thomas stuffed the maps into his hands. "Go! Now!" Sean nodded and ran out the door just as Mark started banging on the door.

***

Mark banged on the door consistently, knowing that his brother was going to answer one way or the other, Mark waited until the door swung open and he saw his older brother in Khaki shorts and a purple shirt.

"Long time no chat little brother." Thomas said.

"Zip it Thomas," Mark said. "Where's Sean?"

"Who?" Thomas said, acting stupid.

"Stop playing dumb with me," Mark responded bitterly. "Where is he?"

"He's not here," Thomas answered. "Even if he was, I wouldn't give him up, Mark, or should I say Dark?" Mark ignored him and pushed past his brother, ordering his soldiers to go in and check the place.

"Don't leave any stone unturned!" the soldiers set to work, Mark watched them tear through his brother's house with his arms crossed. Sean knew the whereabouts of the necklace and if he ever got his hands on it, then everything would be ruined. Thomas frowned and stood in front of his brother.

"You need to leave." Thomas ordered. Mark laughed and looked down at his brother like he was a piece of meat. "As for Sean, I sent him after the emerald. It's the only way to get my brother back. He's been gone for far too long." Angered, Mark ordered his soldiers to leave. Now he had to get his hands on the emerald and stop Sean from getting rid of it. Sending a message throughout the city was going to be the first thing he did. Even if it meant calling Sean a traitor.