We Belong

The Choice Part Six

Here we are with the final part for episode 9. It's been a long ride but like they always say, all good things must come to an end. And this is the end for my version of Season 4.

Last time, Joyce learned the truth about Hopper and vows to get him back home. Mike tells her of his plan and the group head to the lab. Murray and Joyce start up the generator, filling the lab with heat and power once more.

Reaper continues to wait for the translation of Dimitry's  confession, noting the storm is worsening too quickly and realizes he will have to use other transportation if the need arises.

Steve and the remaining group, carry out their own mission,gathering up the A/V equipment into their perspective cars before traversing whiteout conditions towards the lab, guided by the lights visible within the walls of white that surrounds them.

Unloading and sending the equipment down in the now functional elevators, everyone works to clear the area in the storage room. Mike guides Steve and Jonathan to hook up the stereo equipment while he works on fitting the crystal device onto the speaker. Content that it will remain upright, the speaker is hooked up and microphone is given to El who draws inward to her mind then unleashes a scream.

Hopper prepares to leave, Zurgesh joining him as they make their way to the lab in the USD. The Gith can hear El's voice but Hopper can not and the scream ends and all is silent once more.

On the other side, everyone marvels at the quickly closing gateway, in awe that Mike's plan worked. Mike cuts the tape reel and splices it together, feeding it back into the reel to play on a continuous loop while recording it on cassette tape.

After some manipulation, the scream lines up into a pure form and the gateway opens once more.

Zurgesh cuts down the wraiths in the hallway, the sound guiding him where they need to go and at last they arrive at the source.

Hopper sees the equipment visible in the storage room and he wonders if the gateway will take him home.

The Gith assures him it will and the two males say goodbye before Hopper takes the plunge, his body wrapped in shimmering light as he disappears from the Upside Down.

And now the last chapter begins!

__________________________

December 22, 1987 Hawkins Lab

Hopper felt a pull dragging him forward and at first he resisted it, frightened at the sensation but at last he submitted to the will of a power far beyond his own. He gasped as darkness gave way to sudden light and the ex-cop clenched his eyes shut at the pain that flared within his line of vision.

Instinctively Hopper lifted his hand to shield his eyes, the pull he once felt becoming a push and he stumbled forward then tripped over his feet, nearly crashing into the ground. He felt a pair of arms catch then lift him back to his feet, an all too familiar voice crying out,

"Hopper!"

"J... Joyce..." Hopper wheezed, frowning at how winded he felt. He leaned heavily into the petite woman, trying and failing to stand on his own.

What the hell was wrong with him? Why did he feel so weak all of the sudden?

"It's okay... You're home... You're safe now... I've got you," Joyce murmured, doing her best to keep him upright, though her arms trembled at the task. His body felt lean, leaner than it should be and she reasoned it from being deprived proper food while trapped in the Upside Down.