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Beneath the shroud of the dark world, Cassidy and Billy pressed on, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. Despite the gravity of their surroundings, Cassidy tuned out Billy's words, her focus unwavering.

"Cassidy! We should be hiding out right now. The Mindflayer could be sending his henchmen," Billy urgently whispered-yelled. His plea hung in the air, punctuating the ominous atmosphere.

But Cassidy had reached her limit, frustration brewing within her. As Billy's nagging persisted, she clenched her fists, and a surge of fire erupted, dancing across her form like an otherworldly cloak. The flames reflected the intensity of her emotions, a visual manifestation of the power within.

With eyes now glowing a fierce red, Cassidy slowly turned around to face Billy. The fire, once contained, now spread over her body, casting an ominous glow on her surroundings. The air crackled with tension as the dark world bore witness to Cassidy's unleashed power.

"Can you shut up, please? I know we need to find a place to hide out for the night!" Cassidy's voice echoed through the desolate surroundings, cutting through the palpable tension. Billy stood frozen, staring at her in disbelief, as a trickle of blood escaped Cassidy's nose. In a moment of controlled release, she exhaled and closed her eyes, causing the fiery manifestation around her to dissipate.

"Let's go. We don't have time," Cassidy commanded, a sense of urgency underscoring her words. Billy sighed, a tinge of sadness in his expression, and silently followed her lead. The unsettling night was accompanied by distant screeches, audible to Cassidy's heightened awareness.

Suddenly, Cassidy halted, her arm extended protectively in front of Billy. "Shh. I think I yelled too loud; his henchmen are after us," she whispered. Billy gulped audibly, his eyes widening as they strained to hear another ominous screech, now closer, signaling the encroaching danger on their trail.

In a tense moment, Cassidy's fingers fumbled inside her backpack, grasping the hilt of a substantial knife. With the weapon now in hand, she held it out defensively as both of them scanned the foreboding landscape. Unbeknownst to them, a lurking Demogorgon sprinted towards them from behind.

With an instinctual shove, Billy propelled Cassidy out of the impending danger, sacrificing his own safety. As Cassidy tumbled to the ground, her eyes widened in horror as she witnessed the Demogorgon sinking its teeth into Billy's arm. His anguished scream echoed through the night.

Cassidy, fueled by a surge of panic and adrenaline, rose from the ground. In a display of newfound power, she extended her arm, a manifestation of telekinetic force. The unseen power surged through the air, and with a forceful push, Cassidy flung the Demogorgon off Billy. The creature crashed away, creating a momentary reprieve in the chaotic scene.

As Cassidy rushed to help Billy to his feet, the gravity of their perilous situation hung in the air, and a renewed determination settled upon them as they pressed forward in their fight for survival.

As the Demogorgon collided with a tree, Cassidy, adrenaline coursing through her veins, rose with purpose, clutching the knife tightly. She approached the fallen creature, determination etched across her face. With a swift and controlled motion, she drove the knife deep into the Demogorgon, its otherworldly howls echoing through the darkened landscape.

Standing over the defeated adversary, Cassidy held her palm out, a radiant orange glow emanating from it. With a touch as delicate as it was potent, she initiated a cascade of antimatter that consumed the Demogorgon, reducing it to dissipating dust. The eerie remnants of the creature now hung in the air.

However, the exertion took its toll on Cassidy. Blood trickled down her nose, a visible consequence of wielding such formidable power. Undeterred, she wiped away the blood with her sleeve, the ominous aftermath contrasting with her determined gaze.

In the haunting aftermath, Cassidy's attention shifted as she heard Billy's pained groans. Swiftly moving to his side, she knelt beside him. Without hesitation, she tore a piece of fabric from his pants, the makeshift bandage a symbol of their shared struggle against the dark forces closing in on them.

As Cassidy wrapped the torn clothing around Billy's wound, he groaned in discomfort. "What are you doing?" he questioned through the pain.

"I'm putting pressure on the wound. Me and Max skateboard, trust me," Cassidy reassured him, her hands working with a mix of urgency and a confidence born from shared experiences. The makeshift bandage, a blend of survival instincts and camaraderie, served as a temporary solution in their unsettling journey through the dark unknown.

Securing the makeshift bandage with a knot, Cassidy issued a warning to Billy, "Okay... This might hurt." He nodded in acknowledgment. As she tightened the knot further, Billy grunted in pain.

"Told ya," Cassidy snickered, showcasing a mix of concern and humor. Rising to her feet, she extended her arm toward Billy. He grasped her hand, allowing her to pull him up.

"Alright. We need to be much quieter, so don't nag me or you could get hurt even worse," Cassidy cautioned. Billy rolled his eyes but nodded in understanding, the gravity of their situation sinking in as they prepared to navigate the perilous darkness ahead.

"We should probably get shelter at the Byers house. That's the closest," Cassidy suggested.

"No, No. My house," Billy argued. Cassidy glared at him, her resolve unwavering.

"Fine. the Byers," she declared, settling the debate with a firm decision. The urgency of their circumstances underscored each choice, and the Byers house became their beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness.

Cassidy's fingers lightly touched Billy's shoulder, and in an instant, the world around them blurred. The dimly lit, cluttered rooms of the Byers house materialized as they completed their shadow-jump. The air shifted from the foreboding unknown to the familiar, offering a temporary sanctuary amidst the encroaching darkness outside.

As they stood in the Byers house, the echoes of their hurried escape resonated in the stillness, leaving them with a brief moment to gather their thoughts and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.

⭑⭑⭑

Eleven and Cassidy found themselves seated on the floor, a peculiar connection linking them. In a synchronized gesture, Cassidy removed the block, allowing Eleven to access her powers concurrently. The room pulsated with an otherworldly energy as they both periodically wiped blood from their noses, a testament to the strain of their shared abilities.

Blindfolded, they ventured into the void together, a realm of uncertainty where echoes of Billy's presence beckoned them forward. Amidst the formless expanse, Eleven and Cassidy exchanged glances, their shared mission forging a silent alliance. Cassidy, feeling the weight of the unknown, shrugged in acknowledgment, a gesture that conveyed both acceptance and vulnerability in the face of their quest through the enigmatic void.

Eleven sighed sadly and removed the blindfold. Cassidy, glancing back into the void, discovered Eleven's absence. Frustration etched across her face, Cassidy pulled off her own blindfold, meeting Eleven's gaze with a mixture of understanding and impatience.

Placing a comforting hand on Eleven's shoulder, Cassidy reassured her, "Hey, It's fine. We will find Billy." The assurance carried a sense of determination, a pledge to press on despite the challenges that unfolded in the mysterious void.

As Cassidy touched Eleven's shoulder, an unexpected flash surged through her consciousness—a glimpse of something or someone, a fleeting image that stirred intrigue and uncertainty. The brief vision left Cassidy momentarily puzzled, prompting her to question the mysterious connection they shared in their quest to find Billy within the enigmatic void.

WHAT ELEVEN SAW (MEMORY)

In the dimly lit room of the Byers house, Cassidy knelt beside Billy, her hands deftly working to wrap the torn clothing around his wound. The fabric snugly embraced the injury, providing a makeshift bandage to stem the bleeding.

The subdued atmosphere was punctuated by the occasional creaks and echoes, amplifying the gravity of their predicament. Cassidy's movements were deliberate, a blend of focus and concern, as the improvised dressing became a tangible symbol of their shared struggle in the face of the unknown.

Eleven's gasp caught Cassidy's attention, prompting her to inquire, "You okay?" Cassidy looked into Eleven's eyes, but the gaze she received was different—an unsettling realization dawned on Eleven.

"You-" Eleven began, but before she could finish her sentence, the distant echoes of Max and Mike arguing diverted their focus. "Damn it, they're arguing again," Cassidy sighed, rising to her feet.

Cassidy walked over to the door, placing her ear against it to eavesdrop. Curious, Eleven mimicked her actions, both of them listening intently to the muffled sounds coming from the other side. The hushed conversation between Max and Mike added another layer of intrigue to the already mysterious circumstances surrounding them.

"Okay, can you set an argument for us?" Max's request echoed through the door, reaching Cassidy and Eleven as they listened in. "Who do you think should decide El's limits? Mike Or Eleven?"

As Max's request for a staged argument filtered through the door, Eleven and Cassidy exchanged glances. Cassidy, adopting an uncharacteristic tone, casually remarked, "Glad I didn't dump Max's ass. She's way better than Mike." The words carried an unsettling edge, and Eleven's eyes narrowed as she shot Cassidy a disapproving glare.

The air thickened with tension as the imposter's words clashed with the real Cassidy's persona. The mystery deepened, and Eleven felt the urgency to uncover the truth behind the enigma that now embodied her friend.

"The way that you frame that is bullshit," Mike's frustrated retort reverberated through the door, reaching the ears of Cassidy and Eleven as they listened in.

"It's not bullshit, Mike. This is your whole problem. And it's also precisely the reason why she dumped your ass," Max's assertive words further fueled the staged argument, and Cassidy and Eleven continued to eavesdrop, their minds grappling with the surreal dynamics unfolding within the Byers house.

"Nancy's eyes widened. 'El dumped you?' she questioned," the unexpected revelation injected a new element of surprise into the unfolding drama within the cabin. Cassidy and Eleven, still positioned at the door, absorbed the impact of this revelation, realizing that the layers of deception and hidden truths were becoming increasingly intricate and perplexing.

"Yeah, because she is conspiring against me. Her and her little girlfriend, Cassidy, are corrupting her!" Mike's accusation cut through the air, adding a dramatic twist to the fabricated argument.

Cassidy scoffed, "Uhh, No," her retort adding a note of disapproval to the orchestrated drama. Eleven, hearing the fabricated response, exchanged another glance with Cassidy.

"No, we are enlightening her," Max corrected Mike, their fabricated dispute continuing to unfold.

"Truth be told, she doesn't belong to you. She's an independent individual, perfectly capable of deciding for herself," Max declared, prompting an eye roll from Mike.

"She's risking her life for no reason." Mike countered, expressing concern for her actions.

In an incredulous tone, Max pressed, "For no reason?" Nancy sighed in response. Mike interjected, "The flayed are out there, doing God knows what," his concern evident. Meanwhile, Will added to the gravity of the situation, humming as he said, "Exactly. Killing, flaying, transforming into monsters."

"And El isn't stupid. She knows her abilities more than any of us," Nancy added with conviction, earning a thankful look from Max. "Exactly. Thank you," Max acknowledged her gratitude. Nancy continued to emphasize, "And she is her own person," highlighting El's autonomy in the decisions she makes.

"Exactly," Max nodded in agreement as Nancy continued her stance. "With her own free will," she emphasized, underscoring El's autonomy in making choices independently.

"Exactly."

"Despite El saving the world twice, Mike still doesn't trust her," Max stated the reality. Mike scoffed lightly, gazing at her in disbelief. "You really wanna talk about trust, really? After you made Eleven and Cassidy spy on us?" he countered, highlighting a trust issue from the past.

"Wait, what?" Lucas's eyebrows shot up in surprise as Mike chuckled dryly. "Oh, she didn't tell you?" he asked, noticing Lucas shaking his head. "No?"

"Your sister's girlfriend used El's and Cassidy's powers!" Mike exclaimed, prompting Max to come to El's defense. "Actually, no! Cassidy spied. It was her and Eleven's idea. Both of them would've done it, but Eleven's powers wouldn't let her into the void," Max clarified, setting the record straight.

"And why are we even talking about this, seriously?" Lucas asked in annoyance as Will nodded. "Yeah, who cares?" he agreed, echoing the sentiment. Mike looked at his best friends in disbelief. "I care!" he asserted, expressing his concern and involvement in the matter.

Mike turned back to Max. "I guess girlfriends don't lie, they spy," he stated with a hint of sarcasm. Max rolled her eyes. "We were just joking around," she defended. "Wouldn't it have been so funny if I was taking a massive shit or something?" Mike mocked, adding humor to diffuse the tension.

Cassidy scrunched up her nose. "Ew," she remarked, clearly not amused by Mike's suggestion.

"You weren't!" Max exclaimed, incredulous. Mike pursed his lips. "But what if I was?" he teased, prompting a disbelieving look from Max. "Then gross!" she declared, dismissing the hypothetical scenario.

"Seriously, Mike?" Nancy sighed.

"I'm just trying to demonstrate how careless Max is with Eleven's powers. In fact, how careless all of you are! Even Cassidy. And I'm even surprised, Max, that you aren't worried about Cassidy! She's helping Eleven," Mike ranted, expressing his concerns. Max crossed her arms against her chest and retorted, "That's because we trust each other!"

"No! You're all treating her like some kind of machine when she's not a machine, and I don't want her to die looking for the flayed when they've obviously vanished off the face of the earth. So can we please just come up with a new plan because I love her, and I can't lose her again," Mike admitted, baring his feelings, leaving his friends surprised by the unexpected confession.

A heavy silence hung in the air. Both Eleven and Cassidy exchanged surprised glances with their jaws dropped. "So, what's your answer, Jane?" Cassidy smirked, leaving Eleven puzzled by the use of her real name.

A sudden flash of images filled Cassidy's mind, revealing Billy's whereabouts. "I found him," she whispered to Eleven. Perplexed, Eleven questioned, "What? How?" Suspicion lingered in her tone. Cassidy hesitated, "I-I... I don't know exactly." Feeling the unease, Eleven grabbed Cassidy's wrist, and they left the room together.

Eleven's innocent eyes bore into Mike's as she questioned, "What's going on?" Mike, feeling the weight of the situation, responded with a nervous smile, "Nothing... Just a family discussion." However, Cassidy, unable to keep the revelation to herself, interjected, "Well... I found him," her words hanging in the air, unraveling the hidden information about Billy. The room tensed as the implications of Cassidy's discovery settled among them.

"Who?" Nancy asked, seeking clarification. "Billy," Eleven and Cassidy said in unison, their synchronized response indicating a shared revelation.

⭑⭑⭑

Back in the upside down..

As the night passed, Billy sank into a restless sleep, while Cassidy remained vigilant, her mind working on an idea. Unable to contain her excitement, she shook Billy awake, and he groaned in annoyance upon opening his eyes. "What?" he grumbled. Undeterred, Cassidy stood up straight, a gleam of inspiration in her eyes. "I have an idea..." she declared with a smile.

Despite the pain throbbing in his wound, Billy groaned but stood up, curious. "So, I remember Mike telling me last year when I came back from the lab that Will had gotten Joyce in here somehow through the walls." Cassidy pointed at a specific spot on the wall, unraveling the threads of her plan.

Billy stirred from his uneasy slumber and groaned in annoyance. "And?" he asked, pushing Cassidy to get to the point. She met his gaze, determination in her eyes. "I can do the same thing at the Cabin, and I can tell them to save us," she revealed. Billy, still groggy and trying to grasp the plan, questioned her choice. "Why there?" Cassidy paused, a hint of worry crossing her face, "I used my abilities and found them at the Cabin with Troy," she explained, the urgency of their predicament adding weight to her words.

Billy's impatience was evident as he exclaimed, "Okay! Then what are we doing? Let's go!" Cassidy, equally determined, touched his shoulder, and in the blink of an eye, they were once again teleported to the Cabin. The familiar surroundings greeted them, and as they took in their surroundings, Billy asked, "So, how do we open it?"

Cassidy considered their options, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I can use my shadow jumping and shadow control ability. But, I have to warn you, I may get very drained."

Billy, displaying confidence, reassured her, "I know what to do; I did help you back in the woods." The echo of their past collaboration filled the air, creating a sense of determination as they prepared to unlock the mysteries within the Cabin.

---

Eleven and Cassidy shared the information that Billy was in his room. When Eleven suggested going to the source, as she had done with her mom the previous year, Cassidy offered to accompany her. However, Eleven insisted on handling it alone. Seated on the floor, Eleven received support from Mike, who expressed that she didn't have to do this, but her determination remained unswayed.

As Eleven prepared for the connection, Cassidy sat beside Max, their eyes meeting briefly before she closed her own. The room hushed, tension building as Eleven delved into the depths of her abilities to reach the source.

Troy's telepathic message reverberated in Billy's mind, causing a trickle of blood from his nose. He swiftly wiped it away, acknowledging the weight of the communication. "Billy, Jane is going to the source. When she finds it, send a visit to her. Tell her EVERYTHING. Even I'm not Cassidy," Troy's words lingered in Billy's thoughts, the urgency evident.

Taking a moment to compose himself, Billy replied through the mental connection, "Okay." The room held a palpable tension as this unexpected communication added another layer of complexity to the unfolding situation. Billy now carried the responsibility of conveying vital information to Eleven during her journey to the source.

Eleven methodically put on the blindfold, and a sudden change gripped the room as everyone sensed her breathing intensify. "Something's wrong," Mike panicked, his concern palpable, as Eleven's breaths grew louder.

'Cassidy' feigned concern as she asked, "El, are you okay?" In response, Eleven, after a momentary pause, uttered slowly, "I'm okay." The room descended into an uneasy silence, heavy with tension, as everyone anxiously awaited an explanation for the abrupt shift in Eleven's demeanor. "What's going on?" echoed the collective concern, the air thick with anticipation and uncertainty.

"I'm... on a beach," Eleven finally spoke up, leaving Lucas to narrow his eyebrows. "Okay, I may be dense, but the last time I checked, there weren't any beaches in Hawkins," he remarked with a puzzled expression.

"What else do you see?" Mike pressed, as Eleven let out a shaky breath. "A woman. She's... pretty," she responded, providing a glimpse into the enigmatic vision she was witnessing. "I.. I think she's looking at me."

A few minutes later, Eleven remained silent and unresponsive. Blood dripped from both of her nostrils. "I think she's been talking about Billy... from California," Max remarked, piecing together the puzzle. "It's a memory." The realization of the nature of Eleven's experience settled in, linking the strange occurrences to a past memory.

"I think I see it. The source," Eleven piped up, capturing everyone's attention, including the intrigued 'Cassidy.'

Meanwhile, 'Cassidy' sent another urgent message to 'Billy' to go see her now. "I found it. I found the source," Eleven repeated, the gravity of her words sinking in. "Where, El? Where are you?" Mike asked urgently. "Brimborn... Steelworks," Eleven disclosed. Jonathan swiftly stood up, realizing the significance, and ran to write down the crucial information.

"Found it! 6522 Cherry Oak Drive."

"El, El. We found it. Get out of there."

Suddenly, Eleven gasped, and she didn't take the blindfold off. Troy smirked, recognizing that she was receiving a message from the Mindflayer. The tension in the room heightened as they grasped the ominous turn of events.

"NO!" Eleven yelled, tearing the blindfold off. She fell into Mike's arms, overwhelmed with emotion. Troy stood up, silently observing as Eleven cried, a moment charged with distress and sorrow.

---

Back in the upside down

Cassidy took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Closing her eyes, she extended both arms, feeling the ethereal presence of the shadows beneath her fingertips. With unwavering focus, she harnessed all her energy and power, a quiet determination settling over her.

A guttural scream escaped her lips, and blood began to drip from both of her nostrils. The room held its breath as Cassidy, now consumed by her abilities, reached a profound connection with the shadows. Her closed eyes began to glow with an intense red hue.

In the swirling shadows and dust around her, both Billy and Cassidy perceived the formation of something ominous. Starting as a small, barely discernible shape, it promised to grow into a more significant manifestation—a small portal, a visual warning etched in shadows. The air in the room crackled with a mix of tension and anticipation as they awaited the full revelation of Cassidy's conjured warning.

"It's working!" Billy exclaimed, excitement in his voice. "Shh! I'm focusing," Cassidy snapped, her concentration unbroken. Closing her eyes again, she delved back into her task, channeling her energy to maintain the growing manifestation of the warning portal. The room held its collective breath as they witnessed the unfolding results of Cassidy's determined efforts.

⭑⭑⭑

ASH SPEAKS !

Ahh! Two more episodes! I can't believe now I'll have to say goodbye to Cassidy and Max; Cassine (Cassidy and Maxine) until Season 4!! And Theollian (Theodore and William aka Will)

Also sorry this wasn't too long of a chapter next two will definitely be

There will definitely be MUCH more Will and Theodore scenes next Season. But I will be doing bonus chapters of them!! :)