An Apocalyptic Invasion

a large explosion

Dawn was breaking, and I still had no idea what to do.
Carlos was gone. I hadn't heard from him in a few hours.
On the bright side, the gang gathered together to discuss the issue at hand.
"When did you last see him?" Jeremy asked.
Tommy scratched his chin. "Uh... a little bit ago."
"And you didn't tell us?"
He glared at me. "Sure, Riley. If only I could just stop flying in the air to message you."
"None of this would have happened if you hadn't kept your cancer a secret."
"Really? I would like to think you freaking out over the smallest thing is why this is happening."
"Guys," Sam said. "Don't argue right now. Carlos needs our help."
With a last exchanged glare, I sighed. "Fine. Where did you see him?"
"At a cabin."
"Oh, that one." Dakoda nodded. "It's not far from here. Maybe a couple of miles."
"You've been there before?" Jeremy asked.
"On vacation with my parents, yeah."
"So let's head there," Tommy said.
"Hang on. Does anyone know how to drive?"
The boys glanced at each other, then Dakoda said, "I do."
"Okay. Let's get to the cars."
We saw five Catwings flying in the same direction as us, and I knew we were going to the right place.
I saw the roof in the distance. "We're close."
When we got there, I immediately noticed the tense atmosphere.
"Death's here," Sam murmured.
Tykine was standing next to the cabin, his black wings open.
And in front of him... was Carlos.
An entire half of his body was glowing a bright orange. His skin was blistering, which popped and made the air stink.
"I can't stop it," he said when he saw us.
"Can't you try?"
He shook his head. "Jeremy, I've been doing just that this entire time. But it's not working."
"Please hold on for a few days," I pleaded.
"What part are you not understanding?" he demanded. "I can't do it."
"Carlos, please let us help," Sam said.
"The Catwings are already coming," he replied. "In case... in case something goes wrong."
"How has he been surviving this whole time?" Dakoda asked wonderingly.
"I absorbed another evil personality," Carlos admitted.
"No way," Sam breathed.
"Wait, who is it?"
He fixed his gaze on me. "I'm damn sure you know who it is."
It took me a second to realize, but once I did... it explained why he was struggling so much.
"CRYSTAL'S?"
He nodded miserably.
"Why, man?" Tommy asked. He didn't seem disappointed; more like sad.
"I thought that they would fight against each other," Carlos explained. "But... I overpowered it, and it's now a part of me."
He clenched his hands. "I didn't realize the extent of my monstrosity until I felt Crystal's side just... give up."
He let out a little laugh, but it sounded insane. "Oh, well. I guess this is the end, isn't it?"
"Guys," I said. "Give us some time."
"But-"
I looked at Tommy. "Please."
He gathered the rest with a sad look towards me. Sam squeezed my hand before leaving.
"You're not allowed to die," Tykine declared.
Carlos snorted. "Even if you decide this, what will happen next?"
"I talked with Star Tail, and we both agreed that you won't go," he said. "However, you need to cause something big in order for all of this to go away."
Carlos looked down at his shoes.
"How big are we talking?"
Tykine tested the tip of his scythe. "Estimate? It would burn down this whole forest, taking his body with it."
Carlos looked up at me. "You do know what he means, right?"
"God, I wish I didn't."
I rubbed my eyes. "When will this happen?"
"Well, it was supposed to happen in a few days, but I do not think Cyszil can last any longer."
I noticed that cracks appeared on the ground under Carlos after his name was said.
"Tykine. Don't say that name."
"Sorry."
"I'm still really mad at you," I said to him.
"Yeah, that's fair. But it was so you wouldn't suffer more."
"Carlos, knowing that my boyfriend had cancer wouldn't have changed anything."
"Yes, it would have." He closed his eyes. "You're dating him, right?"
"Yeah."
"Hearing the news of your loved one having cancer is something impactful. I don't need to experience it to know it."
"You're right. But from the pain of losing you, receiving the news doesn't come close to that."
"I guess."
"What do you mean?"
"There's no point in doing the things I've done for people," he said. He opened his eyes, now glowing.
"Over the past millenia, I've realized that everything has no value in it."
"Carlos, just stop. That's not true."
He sneered. "Oh really? Then how can you explain our strained relationship?"
"Simple. It's not."
"You're so naive."
"It's true." I stepped closer to him. "You just think it is because of what you have become."
A light came into his eyes. "Now you're admitting it?"
"You're not a monster," I said. "My best friend, who's been through so much and is letting his inner self take over him."
He snarled. "I plan to take over more than Carlos's body."
"Don't listen to it," a voice said beside me.
I turned to see Nova standing there, her white hair lighting up the area. "It's trying to trick you."
The voice laughed. "Ah, the former queen. What would you know about tricks?"
"I know enough to stop you from taking over this teenager's body."
"Stop me?" Carlos unsheathed his claws. "I took over an entity that was reportedly far worse. It was so weak that I was able to overpower it easily."
"Carlos, that wasn't you," Nova continued.
The personalities were constantly switching, resulting in her talking to two people at the same time.
"Of course I know it wasn't me," he said. "I can't get out. You heard what I said."
"What IT said," Nova corrected.
Carlos shook his head sadly. "It's fully a part of me now. Everything it's saying will end up in my mind, my thoughts."
"You are strong and smart enough to fight it." Nova got closer to him than I was.
"Please," he begged. "I don't want to hurt you, Nova."
Her eyes became wet. "I know," she whispered. "God, I don't want to. But it's the thing I have to do."
"Do it quickly then." He dug his claws into the ground and closed his eyes.
The Catwings landed, with Lhrioun in front.
Nova looked at him. "Leave."
"I am his Guardian, and it's my job to protect him," he snarled.
"Do you want to sustain injuries?" she challenged. "Stay back and let me handle this."
They stood there, glaring at each other. Lhrioun finally hissed and moved back.
Nova raised her head towards the sky, closing her eyes. Then she opened them and swiftly stabbed Carlos in the gut with her sword.
As soon as she did, she turned and tackled me to the ground. The force was so great that we ended up flying in the woods where the others were.
"Let me go!"
Nova pinned my arms to the ground. "You'll get incinerated."
"But... he's by himself-"
Tommy knelt down next to me and kissed me. "Riley, he has to do this himself."
I looked down, fighting the tears that were threatening to trickle down my face.
The ground began to tremble as more cracks spread throughout Carls's body, forcing the Catwings to fly back.
Waves of fire swept throughout the forest, burning down trees and reducing the foliage to ash.
A loud, guttural screech filled the air.
I closed my eyes. Please, Carlos. Fight it.

Wait.
My eyes shot open.
I was still in control; I just had to show it.
I grappled with it, trying to push it away.
"Go away," I yelled. "You don't belong in me!"
It smirked, its red eyes leering at me. "I've been a part of you since you were two. It takes more than a Skelri to get rid of me."
"In that case," a familiar voice said, "you're going to have to grapple with me."
Kypolita appeared, her swords blazing in her hands. She was frowning at the thing with disapproval and disgust.
"Leave my friend alone," she ordered. "He's more powerful than you will ever be."
Nodding at me, she sliced at the thing until it howled with pain.
"Get out," I hissed. "Only I control who is in me- not you."
It glared at me one last time as it dissipated, turning into smoke.
That wasn't the last of my worries, though.
I promptly collapsed and was quickly lifted by Kypolita.
"Don't," she said. "You'll lose the battle."
"I thought I already won."
"You haven't fought with yourself yet," she clarified. "THAT'S how you win the real battle."
Huh? I didn't know what she meant.
Then I thought back to my childhood. All the friends I had made during my life, the family I left behind.
Oh. I still had to come to terms that I was the person who they said I was- a kind, loyal teenage boy.
With that indented into my mind, my body expanded until it was on the edge of the blade.
Tykine stepped through the flames. "You've had a long journey."
"Tell me about it."
He tilted his head. "How do you feel about becoming a true king?"
I shrugged. "I think it would be pretty sweet."
"Okay. Good luck, Carlos."
"This part is all you," Kypolita said.
"I know." I turned to her. "Thank you."
"You're the bravest human I have ever met," she admitted. "I an extremely proud to call you my friend."
"Likewise. Goodbye, you two."
"Until next time, my friend." Tykine raised his scythe, then with Kypolita turned and walked out of the flames.
I looked at my hands, fully engulfed in flames.
Here goes nothing.
I closed my eyes... and fell off the tip.

A boom rolled out as Carlos exploded, causing the cabin to catch completely on fire.
Todd stared at the ball of flames that Carlos was in. Would he make it out? Was he going to be okay? And most importantly: would he live through the whole thing?
He had no idea, but he saw Riley huddled in her boyfriend's arms, staring at everything with tears in her eyes.
"I am the true king of evil," a voice rang out. "They come to me when they sin, they look to me for someone to worship."
He saw the fire abruptly disappear and Carlos floating, his large wings beating the air.
"After years," he continued, "I finally conquered it. With the help of my friends, I am now the ruler of sin."
He raised his arms. "Khrillin and Ifnos! Come to me!"
Todd watched as infected from all around flew into the air and landed in front of him.
He noticed that they all kneeled before him, their wings spread out and their heads bowed.
"I want you to cover the entire planet in more numbers than before. Ensure that nobody is left alive."
The Khrillin chattered.
Carlos waved them off. "Now go."
They took flight, going in different directions.
Something clicked inside of him, staring directly at Todd with a blank expression. Then his eyes rolled back, plummeting hundreds of feet to the ground.
"CARLOS!"
Despite Tommy's efforts, Riley pulled free of his grasp and bolted to him.
He was lying on the ground, his limbs sprawled out. He was breathing, although it was very shallow.
Riley gently shook him. "Please, wake up."
His eyes fluttered open. He blinked, and sat up.
She sobbed with relief and hugged him fiercely.
He hugged her back and smiled at her.
The rest came up to him.
"Ready to go home?" Sam asked.
Carlos nodded.
Supported by Riley and Sam, he was on his way to the HQ.
Todd noticed that he was frequently zoning out.
"You okay, man?"
He jolted, then blinked at him. "Oh. Yeah, I am."
Todd thought he looked the opposite of fine, but he decided to not ask any further.
When they arrived, Riley looked at Carlos. "Can you go inside?"
He nodded.
Once he did, the rest went to their rooms.
As Todd lay on his bed, he couldn't stop thinking of Carlos. He was clearly lost, but didn't want to worry the others and hid it from them.
He, however, knew how much pain he was in.
And it was only a matter of time before he shows it.