Step away from me, Quill.
You can still kill them all!
Now we know quite a lot more about young Charlie
and about the Cabinet than we did before.
I'm King.
We still need our heart to beat, remember?
You killed her.
I don't love you as much as you love me.
You look at me like a little sister or a baby...
God, Dad, stuff going on, mate!
I think we have some things to talk about.
Yes.
Yeah,
things are gonna change around here.
No, it can't be.
Huh.
For our opening act tonight, I'd like to introduce my very best student.
It's her first ever public performance.
And with her own song, too.
So please give a massive welcome to April MacLean.
This is called The Lost.
Three, and...
Hey, do you ever feel like it's so dark, there'll never be light again?
Sometimes.
Lately.
But I always hope...
There's a way out. just...
If I'm brave enough.
Oh, Charlie.
I think we help each other be brave.
That's why I miss them so much.
You doing anything tonight?
No.
Ram!
I can't let you give up!
No!
I'm so proud of you.
April!
He's gone.
You haven't even restrained her,
though if she wakes, she's a threat to you.
It's been almost a week.
She hasn't even woken yet.
- I poured water down her throat but... - You care for her?
We're the last of our kinds.
It would...
I wouldn't...
You wouldn't have a heart if you did not care.
"One"? What did he mean, "One"?
And how are they back? I had them destroy the path to our world...
I don't know. But my dad...
I felt Corakinus earlier,
it was so fast and then gone, it wasn't like before.
- Where's your mum? - Leeds.
She's at a convention. I haven't called her yet, April.
What do I say?
Where have you been sleeping?
My cousin's car.
- Matteusz... - Please. No more promises.
And I won't make any either.
Except one.
I promise to love you today.
And tomorrow, I'll make this promise again.
I'll make that promise, too.
I would quite like to kiss you now.
What the hell is this?
Is this the, uh...
Is this the part where your offspring eats you?
What the...
Oh, crap. That is part of it, isn't it?
No, no. No, this was just the bit where we hibernate.
Yeah, it is. As the foetus moves to the second womb.
- Ugh. - How did this happen?
How are you this pregnant? I...
It's got to be that Cabinet.
And I...
Oh, God, I didn't even notice.
I'm sorry, what about the Cabinet?
- How... - No, no, no, Prince.
The time for your questions is over.
Where is my gun?
What are you planning on doing with it?
What do you think?
You'll use the Cabinet of Souls on our enemies.
And then I will use that gun on mine.
- Oh, my God. - April...
- Oh. Oh, no. - No! No, wait!
Where is my gun?
That's okay.
It's okay. Dizziness is normal after hibernation.
You are Quill.
And the war begins again.
Today.
I brought you some soup.
You're going to nail those exams.
Yeah, I know.
You work so hard.
I thought that's what you wanted.
You've not mentioned your new friends recently.
Oh, they're not my friends.
- Tanya... - Can you just leave it?
Things will get better.
- You'll get older... - You sure of that?
If there's one thing I...
Mum!
No!
Two.
Is he here?
Is he back?
No, no. He was here and then gone.
Something's different.
How has he got here?
What do I tell my mum?
Charlie's on his way.
We need to get out of here.
We need to run and never look back.
Unless...
Unless what?
Charlie has a weapon.
No.
April, they killed Rachel.
They killed my dad.
They’ll just keep killing and killing. That's all they do.
And if we kill them, are we any better?
Yes.
If they die, I die, too.
April?
Greetings, maggot.
Just one?
No, no, no, no, no. Quills have whole litters of...
Never mind.
I will take you into battle.
I will take you to the very end of this world.
If you harm her, you'll die.
I'll make sure of it.
She has Shadow Kin running through her veins.
I will only kill her if you refuse my offer.
If this is another referendum...
You want me to come back with you.
That way my heart will be in your possession forever.
Clever girl.
No, I beat you.
- I was your King... - But you did not kill me.
And crowns can easily be reclaimed with the right guile.
So is it this, this thing with April then?
- Did a pony hurt its leg somewhere? - He killed her!
Who killed who?
Who has killed...
She's not going anywhere!
We'll kill you. We'll kill every single one of you.
With your Cabinet? The weapon you'll never use?
Then it's a good thing we have others.
Sorry. Door was unlocked.
Are you...
Pregnant?
Oh.
Yeah.
Have I gone crazy?
Am I gonna wake up in bed and these past couple of months are gonna be a dream?
Does that actually happen to your species?
My mum is dead.
My brothers aren't answering.
They're supposed to be in the school library,
but I'm too afraid to check. Because what if they...
What if...
I don't know, I've, I've been, um...
Are the others...
- The, the Cabinet. - What?
I want to use the Cabinet.
Look at you in your little circle.
Pretending to be heroes and never expecting to pay a price.
We've paid plenty.
And you will keep paying.
Until you are lost to yourselves.
I have killed two.
Come with me,
or I will kill more.
Who else did you kill?
Can we use it?
No, it has to be Charles.
- And he won't. - But he said he wanted to.
Did he?
Yeah, well, saying and doing are two very different things.
Can we make him?
She isn't answering.
Shall we go and see exactly how much damage I can do
without that thing in my head?
There are some Princes I'd really like to start punching.
Are you offering to help me?
That depends.
Are you offering to help me?
Is her mother really dead?
Answer!
This gun doesn't have to kill.
I can just start by tearing off your limbs.
The Prince of Rhodia.
The saviour of his people that never was.
Is there not a folk story you believe?
That in the hands of the right hero,
every soul will be revived?
You're not even hero enough to save one.
If I have to die to stop you, I will.
And so you shall.
What was that? What have you done?
Consider how many you will allow to die.
Do not consider long.
You...
You will be five.
This is really heavy.
Ah.
I've got something you can use.
How are they coming and going so easily?
What was that thing he threw at my face?
Shadow.
What?
Shadow.
I was their King, remember? I can sense it.
It's what's in my mum's legs.
It's how her legs work.
He's put a shadow on your heart.
Just like mine.
So if you use the weapon on them,
- it hits your heart. - And I die, too.
Seriously! What is wrong with you people?
He killed my dad!
He killed Tanya's mum!
He said you were number five!
Are you just gonna stand around and wait to find out who three and four are?
All right, look, we need to find help...
There is no help!
We either sacrifice our families, or we sacrifice each other.
How is there an answer to that?
Fine.
It's hopeless.
And now I have to tell my mum
I couldn't stop my dad from being murdered.
Ram!
- Ram, wait! - For what?
For us to do nothing?
So we can fight another war and another
until there isn't anyone left to fight for?
I'm so sorry about your dad.
I can't even tell you.
Come with me.
1 Can't.
I can't leave my mum unprotected.
I still love you.
I never stopped.
I beg your pardon?
We need your help.
- You're pointing a gun at me. - You'll get over it.
No one's answering.
No one.
He didn't kill me because there's a little bit of their soul
inside my legs, isn't there?
And there's more than a bit of them inside of you.
Why would you think that I would know the answer to these questions?
You know a lot of things you shouldn't.
Let's be very clear, Charlie, I do not take orders from...
People are dead.
More will die. Here's your chance not to be one of them.
What happened to our pacifist Pole who didn't like guns?
We will speak of this after. But that is our business.
You're not coming in here.
- I'm really not interested in... - Understand this.
I will die before I let you through this door.
Just because you can't do the big things any more...
The April who did those amazing things
did them because she's April,
not because she's a superhero.
I'll try to get to the bottom of what's happening.
I would have without the threats.
Contrary to popular opinion, I do not like watching people die.
Quill could've died.
You took the Arn out of her head.
Which means others will die.
Do you really think the Governors are so coldblooded?
We are academics, we research.
We gather knowledge in preparation.
Preparation for what?
For the Arrival.
You can still be a part of it.
But until then, you will not pass beyond this door.
We manage time in here.
You won't even know I'm gone.
Damon.
Damon!
- Oh! Thank God. - Hey.
I can see them.
No!
Remember me?
Something's happening.
- He's at the school. - What are you gonna do?
The closer I am to him, the more clearly I can hear his thoughts.
I'll think of something.
I'll find a way.
I love you.
Get out of here!
Just go.
Don't go home. just get on a train and go to Grandma's. just go!
Not so tough now, are we?
You will die.
All of us die, genius.
Well, they couldn't do that before.
So this...
This is the me you're afraid of.
Yes.
- People are dying. - I know.
We do these things because we have to.
But who are we when we're done?
What? What?
He'll keep coming, won't he?
- He'll find my brothers... - And then you'll be alone.
Yeah, well, you have a choice, then, don't you?
Let it consume you and die yourself.
Or face your future with spite.
With defiance.
I do all of this for you.
- If I lost you... - If I lost you...
Six days I've thought of nothing but you.
Six days thinking of...
How you smell, and how your skin is soft on your neck...
How you don't understand football.
I really don't.
Every day.
Every day I think of you, I think...
"Please don't go where I can't follow."
We have a problem.
This is the traditional end to a Quill life, did you know that?
Yeah, we die, and our offspring consume us.
They take our strength as their first gift and our last legacy.
But that's not what you humans do, is it?
You give your strength every day.
You give your legacy as you live.
And that's because you can shape it, rather than it shaping you.
So take what you've been given.
Take it,
and give it back to those who hurt you.
'Cause that's what I'm gonna do.
Wait.
Show me how to fight.
- Where are we going? - The Library.
We've learned the Shadow Kin were just there.
Did you find out how they're coming back?
They've found infinitesimal tears in space-time.
Too small for anything but a shadow to pass through.
Were those here before?
It's something you did, isn't it?
As part of this preparation.
Regrettable mistakes were made which we're now trying to rectify.
They're coming for us.
If they don't get the girl, they will wipe this planet into darkness,
just like they did yours, Prince.
What are we even doing in here?
Ah.
Good reflexes.
That's the first thing. Now...
Do this?
This.
Great. You can defend yourself against a pregnant woman.
But it's a start.
Again.
Tanya's brothers.
Three and four.
Maybe it wasn't them. Maybe...
Whatever happened, they put up a fight.
It wasn't them.
It was Quill.
Centre of gravity, the first thing you forget in a fight
and it can be used against you.
No weakness, you know, admitting your loss.
1 can't.
Not yet.
Too big.
Feels like it's gonna consume you.
Well, the trick is to keep on living while it does.
- Why? - Why keep on living?
- Because a warrior... - No. Why are you being so kind?
All this time, all your sarcasm...
Why when I finally ask you to be tough, why is it now you're being kind?
Now don't go thinking that this makes me weak.
All right?
I know how sentimental your species gets about babies,
but this in a Quill...
Oh, this just makes us more ferocious.
Yeah, well, I think you'll find it does that for us, too.
Now...
Shut up, and show me how to fight.
What? Come on, mate. Who leaves messages any more?
Seriously?
Ram...
Ram, I'm, I'm at the school.
And...
Well, I've thought about you every day since we were trapped in that classroom.
Every single day.
I've been afraid to love you.
That's all it is. I've, I've just been afraid.
I'm not afraid any more.
I love you, Ram.
I just wanted you to know that.
Step away, Quill.
Okay, come on.
Tanya...
- What? - That's right, Prince.
You took mine, we took yours.
We make quite the team, don't you think?
Lovely to see you again, Headmistress.
Tanya.
- We saw your brothers... - They got away.
For now.
But my mum didn't.
And I'm not speaking to anyone until the Shadow Kin are dead.
All of them.
Every single one.
If they die, April dies.
And Charlie.
And I have to choose you over my mum?
Over my brothers?
The souls, they pour out, right?
They find the souls of the enemy, and they burn them.
Tanya, it's... It's not that simple.
You're going to use this, okay? You said you wanted to.
He will not. There, there are other ways.
There are no other ways!
We tried other ways, and they come back!
We tried other ways, and people die!
How am I the only one who sees this?
Do you guys think I haven't seen the same things as you?
I may have been 14 when I started this year,
but I am 100 years old now, and I am telling you,
it is time to use the Cabinet of Souls.
Hey.
Don't look at me. She's got a mind of her own.
The Governors have done an analysis
of the probability of the number of souls...
I'm sorry, you were saying?
Those aren't free, you know.
Do you think I'm not protected in this school?
I'm dying to find out.
Enough, all right?
Corakinus is attacking us.
And Tanya's right. He won't stop.
No, I will not.
Congratulations. You are the next to die.
Is this your limit, Prince?
You find the deaths of the others acceptable
but this is the one you will not tolerate?
No death is tolerable.
And yet you hold a weapon.
And have another ready.
Let him go.
Charlie...
If you kill him,
I will wipe you from the face of this universe.
At the cost of your own life?
I will no longer care.
And the cost of hers?
I've been afraid to love you.
That's all it is. I've, I've just been afraid.
I'm not afraid any more.
I love you, Ram.
Let him go.
Let him go,
and I'll go with you.
Finally. You understand.
- April, no... - No one else will die.
- You have my word. - I'm not asking.
I'll go with you, but just as this world's life will be in your hands,
yours will be in mine.
April, you can't.
He's right.
Unless I go with him, people will keep dying.
We need to find the light at the end.
We need to be brave enough to do that.
I need you to set me free.
I... I can't.
Let me look into your eyes.
Let me know that I was brave.
April... No, no.
- Not for my sake... - It has to be this way.
Or there'll be more Dads.
And more Mums.
Tell Ram.
Tell him.
I will.
Let him go.
Am I to just trust you?
Remember little girl, I can read your mind.
I didn't forget.
And when I'm this close, I can read yours.
I know you've got insurance.
"Insurance."
Such a pleasant word for invasion.
Yes, maggot, that's right.
We have entered your shadows.
Not 'rust here, but everywhere.
We will not stop.
We will never stop!
- Send them back! - As soon as I have you.
The Governors will not tolerate...
Tell me what they will not tolerate.
It will have a most amusing result.
We still have the Cabinet of Souls.
Which if used now, will kill everyone on your entire planet.
No!
Here we are at the end of our standoff.
I will take the girl, and everyone lives.
Or by your action, Prince, everyone dies.
- It's a King's command. - What?
The presence in our shadows.
It's the command of the King, he is lying!
- He's going to kill everyone! - Quiet, maggot!
That's his plan. No matter what we do!
They're only there because the King commands it.
I said, quiet!
- The King, Charlie. - I can't.
- Please, don't make me. - What? Don't make you do what?
No, you will not, no!
April.
No! Please, no!
No, please, no, please, no! You killed her!
Look! Look!
The Shadow Kin, they're not moving.
That's what April said. It was a command of the King.
So who's commanding them to do this? Who's King now?
I am.
He who kills the King replaces him.
It's their way.
I've ordered the Shadows to detach from everyone on the planet.
They'll fight me, even though I'm King.
You'll have to protect me as I do it.
Do what?
Prince...
No.
No, no, no, no, no!
You will die, too.
I already died. A moment ago.
I think your moment has come.
They'll move as soon as I will. They'll come for me.
I'll stop them.
We both will.
Charlie... Charlie, please. Please.
I love you.
And I've lost you.
Goodbye.
No, no. You don't have to do this.
Fight till your last breath.
1 will.
Please, Charlie, you can make them stop.
I wasn't even hero enough to save one soul.
This weapon,
never to be used.
This weapon of such destruction, it is never to be used.
This weapon to end all weapons.
Don't declare your intent.
I declare the enemy that endangers all of Rhodia.
No.
There is too many of them.
If you're going to use it, use it now!
I give you my intent.
April...
Oh, my girl.
Charlie! Enough!
You have stopped them!
I haven't!
You know where to go.
For why else were we saved?
No!
The weapon is empty.
All our predictions indicated that he was too moral to use the Cabinet.
The more pressing question for our Benefactors is,
how much of an asset are you?
My belief is pure.
I have done everything in the name of the Arrival.
Then it is a shame, you will not get to see it.
No.
No!
I have a positive vision!
This setback is temporary.
We will be ready for the Arrival.
Oh, yes, we will be ready on that glorious day.
What happened?
No!
Why didn't it kill me?
It should have killed me.
No, you have to live.
You have to live with the sacrifice.
No, they're gone! All of them! They're gone!
I should be gone with them!
I'm so stupid.
I thought I might be the hero.
I thought I was bringing them back...
I thought their souls would be reborn.
She's gone. She's gone!
Why is everyone looking at me like that?
Ripped & Corrected By mstoll January 2017
Ripped & Corrected By mstoll Follow my releases on www.Addic7ed.com