Chapter 8

This was a place to be found on no map, in a world that wasn't so much a 'where' as a 'what' And within it dwelled evil. Not evil in the everyday, mug you or steal your wallet kind. It had no mind to speak of, nor what could be thought of as instincts, or a soul, it just was. And always, always, it was hungry. It wanted, *needed* power, to be larger, to expand. It surrounded whole planets, or single individuals, feeding on those who would listen to it, filling their minds like a dark tide until little esle remained.

In the space between worlds were many things, here, deep within the shadow were two figures, stood stone still. They were insane. Not the usual insane that makes a man think that the walls are closing in on him, nor the solid form of insanity that made rich tyrants kill people for entertainment, this was a solid, deep insanity; the two figures may as well have been robots for all the personality and humanity they possessed. Anyone listening to their conversation, had anyone else been present, would immediately recognize this fact.

"So, you've set the plan in motion. And with little serious opposition. Well, except for the target, the girl and a few others. But we have the entire military under our control, and through them, the planet. And most of the resistant minds have been disposed of. Excellent."

"You underestimate me; the others among us are just as talented as I. We'd be simpletons to just expect to have things work to our favour. We're not like the pathetic fools who consider themselves to be ones of the dark. Like the others...we've all faced the same foe."

The two figures remained still, no feature showing, no way to tell them apart. They both knew this to be correct, they faced powerful opposition indeed, but the moment he perished, it would be their moment of glory. They'd have to move quickly, one of them was indeed the most powerful among them all, and he would be the next target.

"I trust you know what to do while in charge? Excellent. I have a warning for you though, there are Daleks here, I don't know why."

"Who cares? They're not worth bothering about."

"These ones are...Something's guiding them, they're much smarter than others we've seen. Terminate these with caution, they are *not* to be underestimated. Doing so will cost you your life."

As the servant recieved his instruction he removed his hood... and was shrouded in darkness. In the silence, the observer cursed. They'd evidently caught on to him. The only question now was whether to tell his leader, or to twist it and report to the enemy. Either would serve his purposes. Since his master's imprisionment he'd struck out against outposts like the once peacful Tropicuso and a planet they'd lost to a one rabbit army ages ago. Turtemple.

Their leader had been inprisioned too long. Luckily he'd refused an offer of freedom from some bunch of idiots. The guard who'd seen it said it was quite amusing to see their reaction. Perhaps he was waiting for his own troops. Of course, if he refused even then, he would not be allowed to simply rot in his cell. They'd made too much progress, many of the lost bases had been reclaimed, you couldn't expect the forces of one planet to hold such an empire. They understood, they co-operated, they never conquered, not anymore. A lot of rabbits had joined them as well, and those who hadn't... they were dust.

There had been changes, big changes. The demon smirked, stroking the large scar on his stomach. He'd recieved it from a certain green rabbit that had blasted away most of his vital organs. He was an impressive sight; since the attack, he'd had time to regroup, to grow stronger. To seek out allies who didn't know it yet. Now he stood a full six feet tall, skin a hellish red and eyes that burned like hot coals. All over the galaxy, the decimated worlds had recovered, Nippious had missiles now, the tanks on Technoir were working again, and shooting more than just fruit now.

Much of the treasure that had been raided from Crysilis was back on the planet, making it a sparkling gem in the void of space, like it was before. More resources had been discovered at Scraparap, Dreempipes was repaired and producing more fuel for thier formidable spacecraft. Even the data that had been lost, corrupted or otherwise obliterated had been restored, with plans of new defense systems, tanks and other machines that none would be able to stop thier raid on Carrotus. For years they had bided thier time. And despite the opposing forces that had been formed in the meantime, they would seem unlikely to interfere.

They had learned, this time no individual would stop them. Especially, *especially* not a jackrabbit.


* * *
Darkness...inner mind...

>Sometimes...I kinda wish I was never born at all...<

>How can you say that?! You've got so much to live for!<

>But...I feel so empty. I know...something is missing. And why is all this happening? Did something occur? Has a dark force awoken, manipulating everyone? What's going on...I don't know anymore...<

>I don't know either, I'm afraid...I can only tell that it's coming from more than one source...our foes will be quite
strong. Be on your guard, Joshua. I don't want you to give up. Promise me.<

>Rachel...You don't have to worry. I'm just concerned about everyone's saftey. I know that it won't be long before I'll get to see you again.<

As the dark depths of his mind faded, Joshua awoke. It had been quite a long time since he spoke to Rachel...and was really missing her. Her warm smile brough happiness to his heart. Even thought in his spare time, of what he had done, there was also something else. Searching through his records back on Mobius, he found quite an intersting document.

"Rachel...I will bring you back...give you the life you deserved...just give me some time."

As the lights from the console brought him out of slumber, he looked outside the cockpit. Saurepth...