Orlando, Florida U.S.A – 156 Walden Avenue

No one had an answer for Flynn who took the goggles from Emmeline and looked around the room in amazement.

"Wow... it's like a magic trick or a ride at Disney World... weird..."

William chuckled softly, " Yes I suppose it must seem...."

"Wait a second... something's happening! Flynn interrupted.

Emmeline grabbed William's hand instinctively. "What? What is it?"

Flynn had turned towards the door, someone's opening the door! It's.. its you Professor!"

"The alternate version of me, young lady..." William corrected with sniff. "Tell us, what's he doing?"

They followed Flynn as she slowly turned and walked towards the back of the warehouse, avoiding unseen obstacles that only existed in the other dimension. There's a big machine over there, he just punched something into the keypad but I couldn't see what..."

John turned to William. "What would your duplicate be doing here?"

William thought for a moment, "It makes sense John. After the accident you came to me for help... it follows that your duplicate in the other reality would have done the same."

John seemed unconvinced, "... I guess..."

"Okay that machine is all lit up now guys, it's pulling so much juice the lights are flickering."

Without realizing it Emmeline glanced nervously around the room. He moved closer to William.

"Oh shit wait! What the fuck?" Flynn yelled, " Another guy just came in... !"

"What? Oh Hell gimme those!" he said snatching the goggles from Flynn head.

"What's happening?" Emmeline asked nervously.

"uh... let me see..." John said adjusting the goggles to his face. "... it's Richard Crane... He and William are arguing. Damn I wish I could hear! The professor is yelling back at him from computer over there..." He pointed to a bare patch of floor. "They're really angry. The professor has something in his hand... I can't tell what it is..." John turned and Flynn had to jump out of the way as he walked farther towards the back of the warehouse. "He's at the laser array now. He's firing it up... what the? Cranes trying to stop him from pressing that button!" John pointed at nothing. "Shit, he's got a gun!"

"Who's got the gun?" William's voice was quiet.

"... you do..."

Emmeline jumped, "Oh no... Richard!" 

"... I see... that's unfortunate..." William slowly turned his back on the others releasing Emmelines hand.

"Richard's backing away..."

"... yes, most sensible..." William's sadness was palpable.

" ... you... uh... he...  pressed the button..."

"Goodbye Johnny..." he said in a whisper.

Suddenly everything changed... for a moment Emmeline could see both the empty warehouse in which she stood and the interior of the warehouse in the alternate reality. A shooting pain stabbed through her skull and she grabbed her head in both hands. John and Flynn did the same. She struggled to keep her eyes open, fearing this could be the end and so she was watching as Professor Tate shimmered and then seemed to explode with light. The alternate version of William Tate seemed to glow and swell larger and then...

Just as suddenly as it had started it was over, the pain was gone and she was standing in the empty warehouse again. John and Flynn looked around in a daze. The spot where William had stood was empty. A chill ran up Emmelines spine.

"He's gone..."

John snapped back to reality, "William! William! What the fuck happened!"

"Oh my God..." Emmeline started shaking. "OH MY GOD!"

"... I ... I think... they used the weapon on him... like a test..." Flynn stammered.

"So he's... just... gone...?" Emmeline asked.

"... Wiped from existence..." John answered hollowly. He slowly went to his knees where William had stood and silent sobs racked his frame.

Emmeline knelt down beside him and put her arms around his shoulders. Flynn stood awkwardly to the side for a moment and then knelt down with them protectively.