Chapter Text
Eleven and Kali continued to shadow behind Vecna as he followed the spiders. They had been walking for a little while now and he hadn't even realised he was being followed.
It was amusing to El, how easy it was to trick him. In fact, once she thought about it, it did seem a bit too easy.
Something didn't feel right.
Ignoring Kali's confused frown, El picked up a round pebble and stared at it in her hand. Making a quick decision, she tossed it at Vecna's head. Just as she suspected, it went right threw him.
An illusion.
"Well, this is bad," she spoke simply with a frown.
Before Kali could reply, a different voice interrupted her. "Hello, sisters."
They turned around quickly; their hearts pounding as they faced Vecna.
Just as they were about to react, he beat them to it: raising his hand over El's face and sending her into a trance.
______
Max heaved as she held her wooden spear against her shaking fist. Slime, sweat and blood coated her panic-stricken features as she hid behind a large, red boulder.
She knew she didn't look great. She didn't feel great either. She had been running for hours and her legs killed. Her throat was dry and scratchy as she spoke, and her eyes seemed to constantly ache. She had a never-ending headache: it was exhausting.
The constant anxiety didn't help either. She was worried for her friends. For Eleven. For Lucas. She wanted nothing more than to run into their arms and stay there.
She sighed, sliding down the boulder to the floor. Her eyes began to close, but a voice in the distance opened them again.
She hadn't seen anyone else since Vecna turned to smoke. A pit of fear grew in her stomach as she got to her feet. Hesitantly, she approached the noise, spear at the ready and heart racing.
She stood behind the wall of the rainbow room; peering through the cracks of the broken concrete.
It was Will. He stood alone in the middle of the room: his eyes wide in fear at the emptiness around him.
Realising that he was probably looking for her, Max was about to speak. Only the presense of two new people stopped her.
No...
Eleven couldn't be here. Not now!
Beside her stood an older woman with purple hair and a confused stare.
Max felt the hairs stand up on her neck as she saw who followed behind the pair. Alive and bloody: It was Vecna.
He seemed to be missing both an eye and an arm, Max noticed. She frowned as she watched him march towards the centre of the room; an air of confidence surrounding him.
"Where is Max?" Eleven asked shakily as she faced him. Her eyes stared daggers into Vecna's dead heart.
He flicked his hand in response; causing a myriad of vines to grab the trio and pull them towards seperate walls. Will struggled against the vines as Kali glared at Henry.
"That is a good question, Eleven," Vecna spoke slowly. Each word echoed across the chasm. He turned around, scrutinising the concrete walls. "Enough of these games, Max. Come out, come out wherever you are. You don't want to miss the death of your friends, now, do you?"
Her body shook with anger as she sent him a murderous glare. Heart pounding, legs aching, voice hoarse: Max ran towards him from behind. Her spear was raised as she screamed croakily.
Just as she was about to stab him, Vecna swiped her to the side: causing her to crash into a pile of rubble.
"You're not doing that again."
El stared in distress at the exhausted form of her agonised friend.
Willing the vines to collect Max, Vecna stood before the group, "now that we're all here... I have a few words..."
_____
Hopper and Joyce ran hand-in-hand as they saw their daughter.
Once they reached her, they stepped back in fear. Her eyes were rolled to the top of her head and her body was frozen. Beside her, Kali was the same.
Stood before them was Vecna: his eye closed and hand raised.
"Shit," Hopper mumbled, scratching his neck.
Joyce held her daughter's hand. Eleven deserved so much better than this.
Behind them, they heard the tired screech of Dustin Henderson. He ran towards them, out of breath and covered in blood. Once he saw the adults, he yelled in relief, "there you are! We need help! It's Will!" He paused, noticing Eleven's frozen form. "El?!"
Just as Joyce was about to question Dustin, a low rattle sounded from beyond the trees.
They looked up towards it and groaned.
The demogorgon.
_____
"What do you mean Max is 'not going to do that again'?" El asked, interrupting the start of Vecna's speech.
Max sent her a tired smile, "I bullied him and he got mad."
"She stabbed me in the heart." Vecna added quickly, tightening the vines around her wrists.
Will, Kali and El looked at her in slight surprise. Max appeared smug as she gestured towards Vecna's bloody form. "What happened to you?"
"That is none of your concern," his voice was a low rumble. "Why are you still holding onto the chair leg, Max."
"That is none of your concern." She gripped the spear tighter.
El smiled proudly at her best friend, who grinned in return. The pair had missed each other greatly. All they wanted to do upon seeing each other was to hug in a warm embrace. However, Vecna had other plans.
"Enough of this." He growled. "The battle is over: my army is winning. And now, I have the two most powerful members of your pathetic group. You're going to lose. Your friends and family are going to die."
"No-" Will shook his head defiantly.
"Yes, William. In fact, your family will be first."
Max didn't even attempt to struggle against the vines as she yelled croakily, "leave him alone, asshole."
He ignored her, stepping towards Will's frozen form. "Joyce Byers. An incredible woman. I enjoyed making her look crazy when you went missing. Her screams of frustration when no one believed her: not even her own son, were fascinating.
Will's heart pounded as his eyebrows furrowed in anger. He clenched his jaw, chewing on his tongue to stop himself from saying anything rash.
"Jonathan, Jonathan, Jonathan. He's a good brother isn't he? He looked after you." Vecna rumbled. "Well, it'd be a shame if a demogorgon hijacked the van that he and his friend drive around in."
"Leave them alone!" Will seethed; furious.
"Oh! I can't forget the Wheeler boy." Will's blood ran cold as Vecna continued. "When you went missing, he went mad trying to find you again. That was entertaining. His tears and yells. His pain."
Will felt a steaming tear roll down his cheek as his body tensed and muscles quivered.
"Hopper. He did everything in his power to save you. Everything. His ambition should really be applauded, although I never expected him to be taken to Russia. What a fun little twist-"
El appeared enraged as Max narrowed her eyebrows, "Hopper's alive?"
"Oh, yes, Max. So is Eddie." He watched the slight joy on her face, wanting to immediately dampen it. He sounded out every syllable as he spoke. "You're death meant... nothing. Well, to me it meant everything. But to your friends? Not so much. Lucas' devistation was delicious."
"Screw you."
He made his way over to Kali, who was rather quiet during his speech. "I admire your powers, Kali. They are... unique. I hope you don't mind that I took a few tips." He formed an illusion of spiders crawling up and down her arm.
She didn't flinch. Instead, she smiled. "You're a fool."
"Oh, why is that?"
"You have ruined so many lives. You have so many enemies. So many. And you're currently trapped in a strange void with some of the most powerful." She shrugged. "You're a fool."
"You are no threat to me." He glanced at Will. "You're all useless." He looked at Max. "Pathetic." He turned to El. "Monsters."
Biting his tongue, Will tried to remain calm as he spoke. "How do we close the gate?"
"You can't." Vecna replied simply. "It is linked to me. As is everything."
He paused, stepping towards Will and glaring into his outraged expression. "I think I was wrong about you, Will. I chose you as a host because I thought you were strong. I put your family through so much distress, because I thought you were brave. I thought you were worth having on my side."
"He is those things." El defended as the vines tightened around her.
"No, he is weak." Vecna dropped him from the vines with the wave of his hand. "I have no use for you. Go cry to your mother."
Will had a familiar sinking feeling as his eyes slammed open. He was in Hawkins. Lucas and Mike stood before him; Mike's hands holding his face gently.
Chest heaving; he remembered every word Vecna had spoke to him. Every insult. Every reminder. Every word that infuriated him.
Rage filled his every being as he walked away from Mike's confused form. Picking up his friend's sword, Will slashed it against the neck of an approaching demodog.
He was fuming, furious, and in a frenzy. Destroying every monster in his path; Will screamed at the top of his lungs. His arms ached with every heavy swing. Tears streamed down his livid features.
Vecna had caused his family so much pain. So much anguish. He had hurt his mother. He had killed Bob. He was a monster.
Grinding his teeth, he squished a demospider, blood splattering over him as he moved onto the next creature.
Mike's chest ached as he watched the person he loved in so much pain. Will was covered from head-to-toe in blood. He had never seen him to furious. It was terrifying. Legs shaking, Mike followed behind him on his warpath.
_____
Jonathan continued to toss fireworks out from the van as Argyle drove over monsters with music blasting from the stereo.
Not too far away, Nancy, Robin, Vickie and Eddie fought the large hoard of demogorgons. Steve was struggling as he swung his bat. A demobat had caught him for a moment: leaving him bruised and bleeding. His head felt woozy.
They were overpowered. The army seemed to grow stronger, no matter how many they killed.
In the hospital, Erica continued to fire down demobats from the window: with occasional glances to Enzo and Murray.
A circle of fire surrounded the pair as they attacked the stray creatures.
Meanwhile the parents crowded around the windows with fearful expressions. Yelling in distress; they hugged their loved ones as others attempted to kick the front door down.
______
"So, what's your plan, then?" Max raised a bored eyebrow. "As a villain, you're supposed to tell us."
Vecna stepped towards her, "My army will kill your friends. I will kill you. I will build my world as I see it."
"So... slimey and rotting? What a gross world."
El closed her eyes as Max distracted Vecna. Nose bleeding; the vines began to retreat around her. As Henry's back was turned, she helped Kali out from the vines.
Raising her hand to Vecna, she swiftly threw him into the air. Giving El enough time to free Max and give her a tight embrace.
Once Vecna landed back on the ground, she turned around, staring at him as she used her powers; nose bleeding and hands raised.
Vecna used his own powers in retaliation, causing a tense duel between the two.
Noticing that her sister may want some help, Kali created an illusion in Vecna's mind to make it look like there was more that one Jane. There were eleven to be exact.
He growled in frustration.
Stepping towards her enemy, Max raised her spear once more; stabbing it in his back. She pushed it deeper before letting go: her heart pounding and teeth grinding.
Before Vecna could turn to her, El pushed him into a wall; overpowering him in his own void. She screamed; releasing the anger and tension that had built up inside of her.
She spoke carefully and purposefully into his dead eyes before throwing him across the room.
"I am not a monster."
______
Joyce watched with wide eyes as her youngest son came into view. She almost didn't recognise him. Coated in blood; his expression was one of wild, crazed fury. Behind him, Mike and Lucas shared a saddened frown.
Stepping forward, she held out a comforting hand, "Will?"
He ignored her: marching past with a sword covered in gore and stepping over the corpse of a demogorgon.
He didn't hesitate as he swung his sword against the neck of Henry Creel.
It happened so fast, no one could believe it.
The head flew clean off: rolling against the grass. Everyone stood frozen in shock.
Vecna was dead.
______
A loud, rattling gasp sounded from inside the hospital. It was like someone was breathing for the first time. Like they had just broken through a veil of water.
Erica ran towards the bed in a panic; dropping wrist rocket on the floor.
Max had woken up in a fit of uncontrollable tears. Her breath hitched as she cried, "I- I can't see. I can't see or feel anything!"
Hyperventilating; she choked on her loud, painful tears. Gasping for air, her chest heaved and the heart monitor beeped quickly. Erica reached for Max's hand in comfort, speaking clearly and kindly over her friend's pain. "I'm here! I'm here! It's Erica! Everything is going to be okay! You're going to be okay!"
"Erica-" Max mourned painfully. Each sob sent an aching sting through Erica's heart.
She leaned over the bed and held her friend as they both cried. If Max was awake it meant Vecna was dead.
They had won.
_______
Vecna was dead.
Eleven and Kali gasped awake; falling backwards. Hopper caught them, staring at the corpse on the floor.
That didn't stop Will. He continued to slice away at Vecna's form. Chopping away like his life depended on it. He had to make sure. He had to make sure he was dead.
"Will-" Joyce stepped towards her son: worry and concern etched into her features.
He continued to smash the sword against the corpse of Vecna. His hands shaking as loud, desperate sobs escaped his lips. Vecna had ruined his life. Ruined his friends' life. His familys life. It was his fault. It was always his fault.
"Hey, Will," Mike's calm voice filled his ringing ears. "He's dead. It's over-"
Will's vision was blurry as he stared at the grotesque mess on the floor. Vecna was a pile of mush.
Dropping to his knees; Will choked back sobs. Broken screams echoed across the town as he clung onto Mike beside him.
Looking up from her son's agonized form, Joyce noticed monsters drop dead around her. Vines retreated into the ground and the gate rumbled and sealed closed. The sky cleared above her head and the white spores in the air, dropped to the ground like hail.
It was over. It was finally over.
"Max is awake!" Erica's voice sounded from Dustin's walkie talkie.
Lucas sobbed, his knees giving way.
Everyone smiled at the good news, while Dustin hugged Lucas as he cried in his arms.
A van pulled up beside them: Nancy, Vickie, Robin, Eddie, Jonathan, Argyle and Steve stepping out. They joined the group. They were physically and mentally drained as they stared at their surroundings, finding solace in the silence.
Eleven couldn't keep her eyes off of Vecna's beaten form. He was gone. It was over. Hopper pulled her into a hug as she cried in relief.
Not too far away, a crowd formed before the group of heroes. Karen Wheeler, the Sinclair's and Mrs Henderson stood at the front: staring at their children in astonishment and terror.
Pushing through the crowds, Wayne Munson stumbled against a tree. His eyes stung with tears as his hands shook. His nephew. He had seen his nephew: he was alive. Locking eyes with Eddie: they ran towards each other, engulfing one another in a hug.
This led to the other parents running towards their children.
Behind a tree, the Hopper-Byers family sat against the trunk: soaking in their accomplishment.
Mike closed his eyes as he held onto Will. A question had been rolling through his mind, but he was afraid of the answer. Despite this, he whispered quietly, "is he gone?"
Will looked up at him. His eyes were tired as he smiled contently. It was like he had only just found peace.
"I... I don't," he cried in satisfaction. "I don't feel him, anymore."
_________________
Six Months Later:
In the Hopper-Byers household, chaos ensued.
"Fireball him, Will! Fireball him!" Erica insisted as she stared at the dice on the table.
"But he needs a thirteen!" Robin stressed with her hands on her head. "He'll never make it!"
Dustin nodded in agreement. "Cast protection!"
"What are you thinking, Will?" Mike asked with knowing eyes.
"I cast fireball!" He rolled the dice while the group watched with eager hearts.
It was a 13.
The team cheered excitedly as Eddie leaned back in his chair with a smug smile, "Will the Wise, you destroyed the Thessalhydra! It's body writhes and screeches in agony as it dies. A slow. Painful. Death!" He clapped his hands between each pause.
Will beamed as he squeezed Mike's hand over the table: sharing a content smile.
The couple had informed the others about their relationship a few months after they got together. Everyone was more than pleased with the pairing. Hopper jokingly stated that he thought he was done with Mike dating his kids. Apparently not. El had been overjoyed when she heard the news; happy that her brother and friend were happy.
Joyce and Hopper were finally on their date; leaving the household in the hands of the teenagers. They had called stating it was going well: they had eaten a lot of garlic bread.
Robin stood up from her chair: stretching tiredly. She shuffled over to the sofa and flopped into Vickie's open arms. "Fantasy is exhausting."
"Oh yeah, it's not like we've killed monsters in real life."
"Don't be ridiculous, Stevey." Robin shook her head. "That's absurd."
Beside them, sat Argyle and Jonathan; who played Uno competitively.
"Uno!" Argyle grinned as he held onto his final card.
Jonathan groaned: still holding nine cards in his hand. "I hate this game."
"Why, dude? It's like, totally tubular!"
Lucas and Dustin froze: smiles growing on their faces as Max sighed in annoyed amusement.
She had been in hospital for a few months after the incident. Her recovery was tough: full of tears and pain and it was difficult to adjust to her new life of being blind. Her friends had supported her the whole way, constantly visiting her in and out of the hospital.
She was happier that she was with her friends again. Being in their company felt like home.
"Max!" Dustin grinned, "I thought you said people didn't say it!"
"Totally tubular!" Lucas chuckled, earning a light slap on his arm. "I have never been so happy as I am in this moment."
"A very low bar to fill, then?" She smirked, cuddling into his side.
He opened his book again with a small grin as Max took a bite of popcorn. To make up for their movie date, he had decided to read to her constantly, stating that, "It's basically a movie for the imagination, but I'm the narrator so it's even better."
Max refused to tell him that she agreed. His voice was extremely calming and she could listen to him talk for hours.
"Who are you going as for Halloween?" Nancy asked as she sat beside Jonathan and Argyle.
Lucas grinned, saving his place in the book. "The Scooby-Doo characters."
"Hah, okay," Argyle nodded in appreciation. "Who's who?"
"I mean... isn't it obvious?"
"I'm Daphne," Max smiled proudly. "El's Velma. Lucas is Fred and Dustin's Shaggy."
"I watched an episode with Jonathan the other day," Eleven noted as she sat beside Max. "Velma is cool."
She was over-the-moon at the news that she could go out for Halloween and had been working on her costume for weeks.
Kali had left after the fight with Vecna, stating that she needed to see her friends. The sisters kept in touch, however, in letters and phone calls.
"Will and I are going as our DnD characters." Mike straightened his back smugly. "The chivalrous-" he rolled his eyes at Max's amused scoff. He continued, "the chivalrous paladin and the wise wizard."
Erica smiled, holding onto her DnD figure. "I'm going as Lady Applejack, obviously."
"Of course," Eddie nodded, taking a bite out of a cereal bar.
Eddie had been proven innocent of his previous 'crimes' and spent the majority of his time with his friends or uncle.
As the others continued to talk about Halloween, Will approached his sister with a nervous smile, "hey, El. Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Yes!" She nodded and stood up, squeezing Max's hand as she left.
The siblings walked to the other side of the room as Will produced a rolled up canvas in his hands. "I'm so sorry that it took so long." He handed it to her.
Carefully unrolling it, El gasped softly at the painting.
It was a family portrait: like she had asked for, but there was something so uniquely beautiful about it that El couldn't put her finger on.
Jonathan, Will, Joyce, Hopper and herself were stood in the centre with wide smiles. Holding Jonathan's hand, was Nancy, who grinned broadly. Murray stood beside Joyce with his hands in the air and a smile on his face. Mike hung his arm over Will's shoulder with a lighthearted grin. Argyle beamed beside Jonathan and Kali smiled next to her sister. Steve and Robin stood back to back in superhero poses as Dustin and Eddie pulled funny faces beside them. Vickie was pictured hugging Robin mid-pose, she looked like she was in the middle of laughing. Lucas was stood upon a skateboard with Max on his back; pretending to be sailors at sea. Erica was laughing at her brother as Enzo (who was currently back with his family after being apart from them for so long) crossed his arms, rolling his eyes with a smile.
Eleven looked up from the painting; her eyes watering.
"Oh, no!" Will panicked, "do you not like it? I'm so so-"
He was interrupted by a bone-crushing hug. Slightly surprised, he hugged her back, hearing the slight muffle of her voice as she spoke, "I love it. Thank you."
"Of course."
They broke apart and shared a smile before heading back towards their previous seats. El squeezed Max's hand and leaned her head against her shoulder as Lucas continued his story: reading out loud.
Will sat beside Mike; holding his hand as they hugged. They shared a sweet smile and laughed as Argyle won Uno.
"Hey, Stevie, when's your next date?" Dustin asked as he sat beside his content friend.
"Friday..." he raised an eyebrow, "why?"
"Rob and I have a bet going-"
"You- what?" He stared at the pair in offence.
Robin chuckled, closing her eyes. "To see if you'll get a second date or not. I think not. Dustin has a little bit of faith in you, however."
He shrugged at Steve's smile. "I've seen stranger things."