For anyone who is interested...

A week after the events of Helpless and the wounds are still too fresh. Duo Merquise after having been firmly convinced by her friends that suicide was not an acceptable option and that she would indeed by missed has given her a new incentive to try and reclaim the happiness that was her life.

Deciding that the hospital was on the verge of destroying what little sanity she had reclaimed, especially with the green jelly they have been regularly trying to feed her and confiscating the delicious grab from takeouts that Marxy had been smuggling to her.

The faithful speedster jumping to his best friends rescue manages to trick the matron into signing Duo's release forms, so grasping a hold of Duo they make a run for it, not forgetting the Duo's favourite hoodie, given to her by Supersonic.

Deciding that the first protocol was a shower and change of clothing, Super heads of to YJHQ, only to be startled by the air conditioning and having horrific flashbacks of Lister's beating him. The speedster, trying his best to shake things off, not wanted Duo to realise how he was suffering, plasters on his best smile to go back to meet her...after all, he is determined to be the strong one for her!

Deciding that life had indeed been to harsh of late the two decide that it's time to try and rekindle the happy times, so decide to go and watch a movie, deciding against their usual choices of horror but still not so over the edge that they go for a chick flick they settle for a good old super hero! Both enjoying it immensely, Super mesmerised by the big boobed heroine and Duo by the tight arsed hero, both are content, until a snotty faced, donned in the most vomit educing bright aluminous pink outfit, girl makes a few choice comments to the two friends!

This isn't helped when a violent fight scene ensues on the big screen, a little two close to the recent events in a certain alley, both Super and Duo have a violent reaction, scared witless and desperate to leave, the pink girl makes her snide comments very well known!

Super, furious at her insensitivity morphs his face to scare the girl, lingering longer than is necessary in the cinema, Duo, still scared of the pictures on the screen begs Marxy for them to leave practically dragging him away! Marxy feeling guilty for having prolonged their stay simply to get at the girl apologises to Duo, ashamed at himself for loosing his composure.

Now, what is the best cure for being scared sh*tless!!!?? Oh yes, there is only one, major sugar rush in the form of...DONUTS!!! :wacko: (Hey I'm a donut lover, I can't help but get excited!!! :'( It's soooo sad...I've given up donuts for lent! FEEL MY PAIN!!! :'( :'( :'( )

After have munched their way through a fair few donuts...hey, 14 is only a few in their opinion!!! Duo suggests that the two go back to T tower and have another spar, since they are currently at a tiebreak. Supersonic is reluctant since her back hasn't even begun to heal, the healing process running at about 1/100 of the speed it should, apparently Heaven likes to hold a grudge! :huh:

Duo pleads, fed up of being treated like she's fragile and Marxy eventually agrees. The spar ensues, Super being incredibly careful, much to Duo's annoyance!!! Trying to liven things up a bit Duo goes for her classic spear making technique...to only find...

Her powers are waning...she can't seem to summon more than 20 spears at any one time, and even creating that many seems to drain the now wingless angel! Apparently taking away her wings had more of an effect on her other abilities than she realised. Marxy on the other hand had acquired a new power, after having absorbed one of Duo's spears into his arm after trying to stop her second suicide attempt he now has the ability to morph his hands into the spears.

Duo, repulsed and horrified at the switch in abilities is even more frustrated, so she brutality strikes Marxy twice about the face, demanding that he fight her properly.

Supersonic, pissed that his attempts to protect her are being thrown back in his face lets loose, his mind playing tricks on him and turning the training room into the alley and Duo into Lister. Fuelled by a need for vengeance Supersonic rips full blast in Duo, beating her, reopening wounds and creating new ones, and determined to finish things once and for all as he aims to drive his booted foot through her skull.

Duo, due to her close link to Supersonic can sense what he is seeing and tried desperately to fight back, and her true vulnerability is shown, as her efforts are futile. She can do nothing except accept the fact that she is to die...

Marxy, recognising pure fear on the face of Lister snaps out of his delusion and realises what he was about to do, horrified at himself and sickened he tried to reach out to Duo, to ensure she is all right and to apologise.

Duo, terrified of her best friend, desperately tries to scramble away, begging him not to touch or hurt her. Marxy, flamed tears falling freely from his eyes, desperate not to let it end like this grasps a hold of Duo even as she screams in fear and unsuccessfully tries to beat him off of her. Holding onto her tightly he sobs his apology, hoping that she can sense his sincerity.

The events of late are too much for the wingless angle and she recedes momentarily into herself, allowing the speedster to check her and is guilt ridden as he sees the wounds he had inflicted upon her, and explaining to her that he understands if she doesn't wish to see him anymore.

Duo, knowing what Marxy saw as he attacked her does forgive him...but she is too scared of him now to be around him, in her opinion it is her fault that he is turning everyday to be more like Lister and herself...turning more evil...

She turns from her best friend, who crumples to the floor in sorrow, confessing unashamed that he will miss her...Duo, unable to stay in the same room as the speedster anymore runs through Titans Tower to her own room. Destroying pictures of her and Marxy and the lights so she is alone, sobbing and bleeding to the dark!

So what lies ahead for the two best friends who have endured so much over the last few months...is friendship sincerely not enough? Check out "Darkness" in the solos area for Supersonic's heart-felt exploration of himself after the events of Alone Again and find out!