A Tragic Creation 3: At Pepperland's End

Chapter 34: Revival and Discovery

"Uuuhhh..."

A long drawn-out moan escaped Ringo's mouth as he laid on his stomach, eyes closed as his mind slowly returned to consciousness.

"Ringo? I-is that you?"

A voice made Ringo slowly open his eyes.

"W-wha..."

The drummer raised his head up, only to see that the black liquid was gone.

Not only that, but he had his colour back.

"Are you... okay?"

Raising his head up, Ringo stared at George, who was standing next to John and Paul, both of whom were holding each other tightly.

They had their colour back as well.

"L-lads?"

Ringo got up on his feet, staring at the three other Beatles as a smile formed on his face.

They all went in to hug each other.

"Oh, thank goodness you're alright!" George exclaimed.

"I thought we were goners!" Paul said.

"I can't believe we're alive!" John stated.

After a moment, they all pulled away.

Ringo turned around to stare at the bandstand, remembering what had happened.

"He..."

Ringo took in a breath in realization.

"Randel did it..."

At the mention of Randel, John, Paul, and George all turned their head towards each other, nervous looks overtaking their joyous features.

Ringo turned around and raised an eyebrow.

"Uh... What's g-going on?"

George rubbed the back of his head.

"I uh... We..."

He sighed and looked over at John and Paul, who only nodded silently.

They all moved to the side, and the sight made Ringo's eyes open widely as he gasped.

In the distance, a large crowd of blue meanies and people were gathering, and...

There were rays of light shooting up in the air...

Very familiar rays of light...

"Is... i-is he..."

Ringo trembled.

George looked down.

"We... don't know... it was like that when w-we woke up..."

Ringo took a step forward, staring at the sight in the distance.

George, Paul, and John joined at his side.

"Come on. W-whatever's happening..."

Paul turned his head toward Ringo, who continued to stare forward.

"I'm s-sure he wants to see you... i-if he isn't..."

The bassist shook his head, John wrapping an arm around him in the process and placing a small kiss on his cheek.

"Lets just go down there..."

Silently, The Beatles all proceeded to walk down the hill.

As they got near the large crowd, they could hear many voices speaking.

"Is he alright?"

"What happened?"

"What should we do?"

As the four got to the edge of the crowd, the small collection of blue meanies who they had approached turned around.

"They're here..." One of them said.

Ringo looked around, only to see that all in attendance turned to face him and his friends, all talking dying down instantly.

"Um... W-what's going on?" He asked.

The blue meanies all looked at each other, and then proceeded to step to the side, allowing a clear path to open up.

The sight made Ringo take in a sharp breath.

Jeremy, Max, the Chief, Lord Mayor, and Old Fred were all gathered around Randel, who was lying still on the ground as the rays continued to shoot out of him, body still entirely grey.

Ringo's alter ego was standing behind him, holding his winged hat in his hands.

They all turned around and stepped back, allowing The Beatles a clear view.

Slowly, Ringo walked forward, John, Paul, and George following suite.

Randel had his head turned away from them, hands twitching and eyes squinted shut as another hole of light closed on him.

John, Paul, and George all stopped behind Ringo, who stood still at Randel's side.

After the last hole of light closed on his body, Randel took in a breath at the relief of pain.

He knew that he was surrounded now, but he still didn't know where...

"Randel?"

The voice made Randel turn his head around, eyes still shut as he took in breaths through his mouth, tears still visible on his cheeks.

Ringo knelt down and placed a hand on his head.

Slowly, Randel opened his eyes, vision clearing as he stared at the man in front of him.

"R-r... Ringo?"

Randel blinked, his mind being stirred fully awake at the sight.

Gathering strength, Randel raised his hand, placing it on Ringo's chest.

"I-it... It's g-gone..."

Randel's distorted voice was shaky and raw, and everyone understood what he meant.

Without another word, Randel placed both of his arms around Ringo as he buried his face in the drummer's chest.

Not knowing what else to do, Ringo hugged him as well, eyes closing as tears threatened to escape them.

Slowly, colour returned to Randel, but even the return of his emotions couldn't soothe the oncoming sobbing that he felt building up within him.

He didn't know exactly why he wanted to cry now, but it just felt right to do it.

Once all colour had returned to him, Randel squinted his eyes shut, tears staring to stream down his face once again.

He began to whimper.