Nearing the clearing where all of this had begun, both Marble and I shiver. We had hoped to never return here, but this is where He wants us.

So be it.

Carefully, I begin to descend. I expect something to appear behind me, slam me down into the green grass field below, but nothing does. Still, I stay cautious. As I begin to land, I prepare myself for any attack, whether it be from below, above, or any other direction.

Nothing happens.

"You can relax, Alisa. I'm not going to attack you."

He stands before me, seemingly materializing out of the air in front of me. He takes a few steps forward, and I can't help but step back. He was in a different form, he's full form I assume. Mouths line his chest and body. Horns protrude from his head and wings sprout from his back. His hooves are like cattle, while mine mirror horses. His tail is gently gliding in the air behind him, and he looks down on me with....

Admiration?

I glare back.

He chuckles. "You... You are everything I hoped you would become." I want to speak, attack, do something, but I want to know what he's trying to get at more than anything else. He continues, walking towards me again. I mimic his steps backwards. He stops. "I'm not going to hurt you. Just... let me look at you." He walks again, and I take one step back.

Then stop.

Marble is confused, but she doesn't push further. He was still moving closer and his gaze flicks towards my right. "And I see she can take a ghost form as well. Impressive." Marble growls, her teeth showing. He doesn't even bat an eye. Carefully, he walks around me, as if I was a piece of art long in the making that was finally complete.

"You don't understand how long it took to get you like this...." I have so many biting remarks, but Marble holds me back. "After that woman.... your mother.... made a deal with me so she could bear a child, I couldn't help but give you some of my power. I wanted someone else like me..... Another... Monster."

I snarl in response. I have had enough of this. No sooner do I make a noise, I launch myself at him. He easily dodges the frontal assault, but he doesn't move fast enough for my tail. Though it has a "soft" end, a quick snap of the tail can make it feel like a blade. He grimaces and holds his face. A gash has appeared under his left eye. Blood slightly trickles on the end of the fur of my tail.

He smirks and looks at me again. "You know, I never meant to kill Slender that night. It was only to provoke you. To awaken what was hidden inside of you." I growl and attack once more. It was obvious he was not going to stop talking unless I stopped him. My jaw is wide and aimed at his throat. He dodges again, and reaches out to grab my tail. With ease, I yank it away, spin on one paw, and slam my hind legs into his gut.

He flies across the clearing, but catches himself with his wings and slowly descends. Then, he starts walking towards me. "If you only knew how much more power you truly have, then this might be an even fight!" I rush towards him, propelling myself with my wings. I was tired of his voice. His truths. I knew what he was saying was true, but I didn't care anymore.

I just needed to make sure I didn't become the monster he wants me to be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Slender's POV*

Once I was back in the mansion with Toby, it was he who began to tell everyone what was happening. My mind was racing too much, and it took a tug on my sleeve from Sally to stop the static I had unknowingly unleashed. I take a deep breath and nod at the girl. "Thank you, young one." She simply smiles and returns upstairs. I turn towards the others, as they had began making battle plans. I interject with a comment that silences them.

"Do any of you even know where she has flown off to?"

EJ starts to say something, but Jeff is the one that speaks first. "It doesn't matter! If HE gets to her, and she snaps, she could fall to his side and never return! Even if she didn't, she would be horrified by everything she had done and could wind up doing something stupid! We have to hit him hard and deal with him now, Slender!" The boy had turned on me and advanced while he was speaking. Even Smile was amazed at his loyalty towards this new pasta. "No more waiting. We go now, with or without you." He glares up at me.

It was at this point I almost wish I had a face to use the many emotions I felt at this moment.

"But where, might I ask, will you go?"

Jeff becomes more enraged. "Does it matter?! We will search everywhere! High and low! Turn over the whole d**n forest if we have to!" Carefully, I lay a hand on his shoulder. He huffs slightly, then calms down.

"I have an easier idea since I already know how to track her."

He turns so fast, I think he may have caught whiplash.

"You do? Why didn't you say so earlier, jerk?!" I hold my own anger against Jeff back. This can be settled later. I turn towards his companion, Smile. "You remember her scent correct? Her blood scent I mean." Smile nods, but tilts his head in confusion. Slender, if she's hurt, I can't smell her from here. I'm not that good.

"What if I told you she was already injured and could have left a trail?"

Smile suddenly understands. I'm on it. Quickly, he rushes out the door. I turn back to the other pastas in the room.

BEN, Jeff, Masky, Toby, Hoodie, EJ, LJ, Herobrine...

"Herobrine? Where have you been?" The minecraft ghost gives a sheepish grin. "After hearing the news about Alisa's origin, I decided to dig up some stuff that was probably meant to stay buried. It.... may help in the long run." I nod. This is good, and explains his sudden absence. Alisa really enjoyed his company, and she was upset when he first vanished. "Alright. If everyone is ready, let us go find our friend."

"Family."

I turn. Sally was on the last step. She looks at me, holding her shredded teddy in her arms. "She is family, right?"

My skin on my head softens at her. I nod. "Of course."

I fix my phrasing.

"Let's go find our lost family member."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*squeals* DANG IT I forgot how much I put into this story! I'm falling in love all over again!

GAH