Eleven sat down, recounting what Billy had shared with her. Troy stood up, listening closely to her words. Eleven decided she was going to reveal everything, realizing that it was Troy in her vision.
"He said he was building something. That it was all for me, Theodore, and Mildred," Eleven explained. The room hung heavy with the weight of the revelation. Max, puzzled, asked, "Why not Cassidy? She helped?" The question added a layer of complexity to the unfolding mystery.
"That's the thing... That's not—" Eleven began but was abruptly cut off by Troy. "Because I'm not Cassidy," he smirked. "What?" Max furrowed her eyebrows, her heart quickening its pace as Troy displayed a devilish smirk. "Cassidy is in the Upside Down, you shitheads! I, Troy Anderson, put my subconscious into her body. He is building something! How have y'all not noticed yet?" Troy's revelation sent shockwaves through the room, unraveling a startling truth about Cassidy's identity and the sinister plans at play.
"Troy?" Mike, Will, and Lucas echoed in disbelief. "I'm working with the Mindflayer... He's helping get revenge after Jane broke my arm!" Troy's proclamation filled the room with an unsettling revelation. Max couldn't help but express her disdain, "You're getting revenge... just because she broke your arm?" She rolled her eyes, finding the motive absurd.
"Now... It's time for revenge!" Troy declared, extending his arms. The room became enveloped in an eerie atmosphere as ominous noises echoed, signaling the commencement of a malevolent plan set into motion. The gravity of the situation intensified, leaving the group in a state of shock and impending danger.
As the ominous sounds filled the room, they all stood up, alert to the impending threat. Max, fueled by a protective instinct, approached Troy with a warning in her voice, "I swear to god, if you hurt her..." Her sentence hung in the charged air as Troy scoffed. "Really? What? Kill me?" he snickered, a sinister grin playing on his lips. "You shouldn't be afraid of me... You should be afraid of what's coming," he declared, his words dripping with a foreboding sense of impending danger, casting a shadow over the room.
"Take this, shit head!" Mike roared, swinging the bat at Troy's head. The impact sent Troy sprawling to the ground, unconscious. "I've been wanting to do that to him for so long!" Mike expressed with a sense of relief, but the triumph was fleeting.
"We have more things to worry about! The Mindflayer is coming, and Cassidy is stuck in the Upside Down!" Max urgently emphasized, the urgency in her voice cutting through the air. "Well, not exactly," a mysterious voice interjected, catching their attention. The room held its breath, the unknown voice introducing a new layer of uncertainty and tension to an already fraught situation.
They all turned to see Cassidy, and Max rushed over to her, embracing her in a tight hug. Cassidy, overwhelmed with emotion, let a tear slip, whispering into Max's ear, "I missed you so much." As they pulled away, Cassidy's expression shifted to a frown.
"I'm not exactly here. I'm still in the Upside Down. Billy is with me. The only way to get me back is to burn Troy out of me, just like with Will last year," Cassidy explained with a sense of urgency, her words hanging in the air. Eleven walked over to join them, the gravity of the situation settling in as they confronted the challenging path ahead.
"How do we do that?" Eleven asked, her eyes filled with determination. Cassidy took a deep breath before explaining, "Get Theodore and, I guess, Mildred. Apparently, she has abilities. They will use their abilities combined and burn him out of me. First, you will have to talk to him, basically doing what you did with Will when he said 'close gate.' I'll be trying to break free back into my body."
The room fell into a heavy silence as they absorbed the intricate details of the plan, preparing themselves for the daunting task of confronting the Mindflayer's influence within Cassidy. The air was charged with a mix of anticipation and resolve as they geared up for the challenging journey ahead.
"What? We don't know where they are," Max panicked, voicing the concern that hung heavy in the room. As the weight of the situation pressed upon them, Cassidy began to feel faint. She stumbled a little, and Max, quick to react, caught her arm, offering support in this challenging moment.
"I'm using too much energy. I-I have to go... Mindflayer is getting close. You need to find them!" Cassidy's urgent words filled the room, her fading away leaving an air of distress. "Cassidy!" Max yelled, her voice laced with worry and tears.
As Cassidy gasped and opened her eyes, the shadows dissipated, and she stumbled. "It didn't work?" Billy asked, genuine confusion evident on his face. Cassidy turned to him, her expression a mix of exhaustion and determination. "It... did. I talked to them. They figured everything out. I need to rest. I have to be prepared." The room held a complex mix of relief and anticipation, understanding that the path to confront the Mindflayer had been set in motion, but challenges still lay ahead.
⭑⭑⭑
In the cabin, as they geared up to face the Mind Flayer, Max came to a sudden halt, her attention drawn to the motionless body on the ground—Cassidy's physical form now under Troy's influence. "Guys... What do we do with Cassidy's body?" Max asked, her gaze fixed on the unconscious figure. Mike walked over, standing beside Max, a furrow forming on his brow. "What do you mean?" he queried, confusion evident in his expression.
"I mean... She said it's still her body... Troy just... just put his subconscious in it and put hers in the Upside Down," Max explained, a mixture of concern and confusion etched on her face. The room fell into a thoughtful silence as they grappled with the complexity of the situation.
"I guess... I guess we put it in the car?" Mike suggested, his words reflecting the uncertainty that hung in the air. They stood at a crossroads, trying to determine the best course of action for Cassidy's physical form, each decision carrying a weight of responsibility as they faced the looming threat of the Mindflayer.
Eleven walked over, offering her perspective, "Probably for the best... She will be safer in there." Eleven's voice carried a sense of pragmatism. Max, however, voiced a concern, "What if she—I mean, Troy wakes up?"
Eleven shrugged, "Well... then we just have to fight him." There was a tinge of sadness in Eleven's sigh. "But, that's still Cassidy's body!" Max argued, grappling with the ethical dilemma. Eleven shrugged again, her response leaving the room in a thoughtful silence as she walked away, the weight of the decision lingering.
Max let out a heavy sigh as she started pulling Cassidy's body, driven by a sense of urgency. She rolled her eyes, frustration evident in her expression, and directed her attention to Lucas, who sat on a table, visibly distressed about his sister's predicament.
"Are you gonna sit there, or are you gonna help put her body in the car?" Max spat, her words carrying a sharp edge. Lucas met Max's eyes, a sad sigh escaping him. The weight of the situation pressed on them, compelling Lucas to set aside his distress for the moment and reluctantly join in the effort to handle Cassidy's body.
Lucas swiftly jumped off the table, taking Cassidy's legs as Max continued to support her upper body. Together, they carried Cassidy's body outside and gently placed her in the back of the car. Max, before turning away, cast one more poignant glance at Cassidy, her words carrying a mixture of determination and reassurance, "We'll get you back, Cass. Don't worry." Max's frown lingered for a moment, expressing the emotional weight of the situation.
Inside, Will sensed the Mindflayer's presence and looked at Lucas, who had just come in. "Where's Max?" Will inquired, a sense of concern in his voice, recognizing that something significant was happening.
Lucas's worry for Cassidy was evident in his expression as he exchanged glances with Will. Will, sensing the urgency, ran to the door and spotted Max staring at Cassidy in the back of the car. "Max! It's getting close," Will urgently hollered, breaking Max's focused gaze.
Max swiftly turned to Will, a mix of determination and concern in her eyes, and hurried back inside. The room transformed into a scene of heightened anticipation as they all gathered in a circle, ready to confront the approaching Mindflayer. Tension crackled in the air, and the weight of the impending battle settled upon them.
The room filled with unsettling noises—a disconcerting mix of flickering lights and juggling plates. Will, his hand on his neck, announced the Mindflayer's proximity. "It's close," he declared. The group collectively turned their attention to the ceiling, where ominous thumping sounds resonated.
"I'm worried... We could use Cassidy's help! Eleven might not be able to do this alone," Max voiced her anxiety, the tension in the room growing. Lucas, understanding her fears, gently turned Max towards him, his hands finding her shoulders. "I'm as worried as you are. We will get her back. We just have to follow the plan like she said," Lucas reassured her, offering a moment of solace before any further response could be given.
Eleven swiftly repels an advancing arm of the Mindflayer, shielding Jonathan, who retaliates by hacking at it twice with an axe. Despite the screeches, the arm forcefully shoves Jonathan against a wall. Undeterred, it lunges again, but Eleven intervenes, halting it with her outstretched arm. Concentrating, she fractures a portion of the limb, blood trickling from her nose—a tense exhale as she anticipates the impending onslaught.
The ominous arm retracts, narrowly avoiding Max, who, in a state of panic, stumbles backward against a nearby wall, breathless as she exclaims, "Holy shit." As she catches her breath, an additional arm unexpectedly emerges beside her. Reacting swiftly, she instinctively ducks out of harm's way.
Meanwhile, the Mindflayer's relentless assault continues, as one of its monstrous limbs makes a beeline for Eleven. With a blend of precision and determination, Eleven manages to catch the approaching arm. However, the threat doesn't cease there; another arm emerges on the opposite side, making its way menacingly toward her.
Caught in the chaotic dance of supernatural appendages, Eleven finds herself at the center of a precarious situation. Her focus sharp, she adeptly catches both arms, her gaze shifting back and forth, assessing the imminent danger surrounding her.
Eleven channels her telekinetic abilities with a fierce scream, shattering portions of both menacing arms. The broken appendages hastily retract through the openings in the walls they had torn. With a tense exhale, Eleven momentarily believes the threat has passed, only for a sudden calamity to unfold.
A significant section of the ceiling succumbs to the supernatural turmoil, and an elongated arm shoots out, coiling around Eleven's ankle. A sharp cry escapes her lips as she feels the tightening grip. In a desperate response, Mike sprints toward her, fear etched on his face. With a swift and determined motion, he clutches her outstretched arm, desperately trying to pull her free from the relentless hold.
In the midst of the chaos, Eleven's anguished cry reverberates through the tumultuous scene, "Help!" — a plea that hangs in the air, fraught with urgency and the gravity of the perilous situation.
A wave of urgency propels everyone towards Eleven, their hands grabbing onto her arm in a collaborative effort to bring her down safely. Amid the frantic rescue, Nancy takes action, firing shots at the encroaching Mindflayer. "Lucas!" Max's voice pierces through the chaos, a mix of fear and desperation.
Lucas seizes the moment, rushing over to retrieve the discarded axe. With determined precision, he swings the weapon, slashing at the arm that has Eleven in its grip—two swift strikes that prove decisive. The arm relinquishes its hold, and Eleven descends into the waiting embrace of Mike.
Summoning inner strength, Eleven rises, a determined expression masking the evident pain. Her gaze locks onto the menacing Mindflayer, and with a primal scream, she extends her arms. A surge of telekinetic power courses through her, causing the formidable creature to split in half.
Mike and Max swiftly converge, wrapping Eleven's injured arm around them for support. Together, they stand as a united front, facing the aftermath of the supernatural confrontation, the threat vanquished but not without leaving its mark on the resilient group.
In a rush, the group scrambles to the waiting car, where Max, Eleven, and Mike settle into the backseat. Max carefully places Cassidy in her lap, while Eleven extends her leg onto the console between the seats, a visible sign of the recent ordeal. Despite the pain, Eleven grunts and interlocks hands with Mike.
As Mike's gaze meets Eleven's, he senses the urgency of the moment and loudly commands, "GO GO!"—a plea that echoes the collective desire to put distance between themselves and the lingering threats of the supernatural encounter.
Tears stream down Max's face as she gently runs her hand through Cassidy's hair, her gaze fixed on the unconscious figure in her lap. In a voice filled with both pain and determination, Max whispers, "I'll get you back, Cass. I love you so much." The emotional weight of the moment hangs in the air as the car speeds away from the tumultuous scene, leaving behind the echoes of a supernatural struggle.
⭑⭑⭑
Back in the Upside Down
Cassidy, seated on the floor, peers through the void, removing her blindfold with urgency. Wiping a bloody nose, she exclaims, "I-I need to get out of here now!" Standing up, she grabs her bag, and Billy approaches with concern.
As Cassidy faces him, she delivers the unsettling news, "They were attacked! Eleven got bitten. If that thing bit her, she will lose her powers," her words hanging heavily in the air, casting a shadow over the already tense situation.
Billy, curious, questions, "How do you know that?"
Cassidy, a glimpse of her unsettling past evident, responds, "When I was in that lab, I was forced to learn things about this world. She will lose her powers temporarily; it's not certain how long they will be gone for, though." The weight of her words carries the gravity of the information she's acquired from her challenging experiences.
Billy's revelation hangs in the air, prompting a defiant glare from Cassidy. "There's no way out of here!" he exclaims with a sense of urgency.
Cassidy, frustration evident, responds sharply, "No shit!"
Arms crossed, Billy challenges her, "Then how you gonna magically get out of here, huh?" A defiant scoff escapes Cassidy as she rolls her eyes, unyielding. "I'm going to try!" she asserts, a steely determination in her tone, ready to confront the seemingly insurmountable challenges ahead. The tension in the air thickens as they grapple with the harsh reality of their predicament.
Billy, seemingly skeptical, jests, "Let me guess, your superpowers." He playfully makes weird jazz hands, and Cassidy responds with a nonchalant hum. "Whatever," Billy rolls his eyes, flopping onto a gooey couch.
Undeterred, Cassidy extends her arms, closing her eyes and focusing on the shadows. A sense of determination fills the room as she creates a portal. Blood trickles down her nose, but without hesitation, Cassidy opens her eyes and leaps through the portal, leaving behind the mysterious room and its challenges.
Transported to a dimension between three worlds, reminiscent of the previous year's encounter with Eleven and Theodore, Cassidy sighs in frustration. Determination sparks within her as she clenches her fist, creating a rift. Jumping through, she reappears back at the cabin.
Billy, eagerly awaiting confirmation, yells, "Did it work?" Cassidy's response is blunt as she slams her bag onto the table. "No," she declares, met with a snicker from Billy. Cassidy rolls her eyes and retaliates with a flipped-off gesture, expressing her frustration with the unsuccessful attempt.
In a reciprocated act of frustration, Billy responds with the same gesture. Cassidy can't help but think, "Why did I have to be stuck in here with him?" The shared sentiment of irritation hangs in the air as they navigate the challenges of the mysterious dimension together.
-
Back in the real world
Troy fluttered his eyes open to see he is in Max's lap, he looks up at Max to see her asleep. He looks around him to only see her and him in the car. As Troy groans, he slaps Max to wake up. Max immediately wakes up, "Troy?" Max yelled. Troy rolls off her lap, and kicks her in the face.
"Stop it! We want Cassidy back!" Max shouts, holding her jaw in pain. A defiant response comes from the other side, "Where is she?!" he yells back, met with Max's steely resolve. "Why would I tell you?" she sleethes.
The tension escalates as Troy, losing patience, grabs Max's head and slams it onto the door. Groaning in pain, Max endures the assault. Suddenly, Troy shadow jumps out of the car. Taking a moment to orient himself, he looks up at the sign, realizing they're at a 7-11. A sinister snicker escapes him.
Max, fueled by determination, runs out of the car despite the pain. She charges towards Troy, swiftly grabbing him by the waist, ready to confront the challenges that lie ahead.
"Give us Cassidy back!" Max's yell echoes with desperation. Troy attempts to kick his way out of her grip, groaning in the process. In a sudden move, he tilts his head, managing to push Max off, sending her into the car.
Undeterred, Troy rushes inside, yelling, "I said... Where is she?" Unbeknownst to him, Will and Lucas are at the aisle, browsing fireworks. Their eyes meet, and with a silent understanding, Will nods. Lucas swiftly grabs the fireworks, signaling a potential plan in motion.
Troy clenches his fist, and flames erupt over his body. "Come out... Eleven." he shouts, the fiery display intensifying. Mike, quick on his feet, supports Eleven, wrapping her injured arm around his neck. The timing couldn't be better, as they've just finished attending to the wound and discovered the whereabouts of Dustin, Theodore, and Mildred. The urgency of the situation heightens as they brace themselves for the impending confrontation.
In the void, Eleven discovers the source connected to Mildred. Mildred had been in Hawkins Lab, acquiring abilities from the same incident involving Cassidy. As they navigate through an aisle, their luck takes a turn for the worse when they encounter Troy. The trio locks eyes, and a sinister grin spreads across Troy's face. Mike and Eleven gulp, realizing the gravity of the situation—they're facing Troy, but in Cassidy's body. The stakes escalate as they prepare for a tense confrontation.
Promising Max they wouldn't take any aggressive action against Cassidy's body, Mike and Eleven find themselves in a tense situation as Troy advances. Nancy and Jonathan rush towards them, urging, "Go!" Mike acknowledges with a nod, swiftly guiding Eleven outside. The scene unfolds with Max on the ground, unconscious. In a hurried effort, Mike assists Eleven into the back, the urgency mounting as they confront the complexities of the situation.
Kneeling beside Max, Mike shakes her to consciousness. Max grunts and slowly opens her eyes. "Where's Cassidy?" she breathes out. Mike responds urgently, "Troy is inside. Lucas and Will are coming, Jonathan and Nancy are gonna stop him." The gravity of the situation hangs in the air as they brace for the unfolding events.
"No... No! Don't hurt her," Max exclaims passionately, her concern for Cassidy evident. Mike notices she's a bit out of it. As Lucas and Will run out of the store, Lucas asks, "What's wrong?"
Glancing up at Lucas, Mike explains, "I-I don't know. She seems out of it, and seems loopy." Both Lucas and Mike assist Max into the car, only to see her drift back into sleep. The uncertainty and tension linger as they grapple with the unfolding events.
As the young teens anxiously wait in the car for Jonathan and Nancy, Troy saunters in with a smirk. Without warning, he hurls a fireball at them. Quick reflexes kick in as they manage to duck, narrowly avoiding the fiery projectile. Taking advantage of the distraction, Troy charges toward Jonathan, aiming for a decisive hit.
However, Nancy swiftly intervenes, using the butt of her gun to strike Troy on the head. The impact sends him sprawling to the floor, unconscious. Nancy efficiently picks him up, and they all pile into the car, awaiting the arrival of Jonathan and Nancy. As the car roars to life, Nancy turns to Eleven, asking with a sense of urgency, "Where to?"
Eleven, brimming with determination, responds, "The mall!" The car speeds away, leaving behind the aftermath of the supernatural confrontation, the tension and uncertainty lingering in the air.
⭑⭑⭑
ASH SPEAKS !
Oh my god.. One more episode.. BUT that does mean Cassidy is gonna be back soon!